Become part of the Martian invasion in a unique experience…

“Incredible” is perhaps the only word that comes close to describing The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience. The 24 intricately crafted scenes, packed with action, brought to life with amazing special effects, and peopled with talented, versatile actors, combine to create a vivid, real-life adventure unlike anything I have ever experienced. Visitors are thrust into the heart of The War of the Worlds in a way that even H.G. Wells himself could never have imagined. From breaking into George Herbert’s home to escape the carnage on the Common, to traversing Martian-infested waters amidst the destruction of the Thunderchild, to escaping the Artilleryman’s tunnel-mania in a hot air balloon, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds reaches unheard-of heights of theatrical excellence in this groundbreaking experience. The skilful set design and engaging actors are transported to a new level through virtual reality, enabling scenes like the harrowing escape on the Thames to hold visitors in a vice-like grip of realism. Visitors truly live the lives of terrified refugees fleeing the Martian invasion, if only for an hour and 50 minutes plus a 20-minute intermission.

Though undeniably thrilling, this total immersion is not for the faint-hearted – or for anyone who is not at the peak of strength and vitality. Both my guest and I are young, healthy people, free of all medical conditions, and nonetheless we emerged feeling like we had been hit by a truck. I think we only bought drinks in the bar afterwards, delicious though they were, because we were too shaken to feel up to leaving. The website and waiver caution, for instance, that motion sickness may occur, but both of us at times had been forced to remove our headsets, feeling like we had been picked up and dashed against a wall. I am not sure whether our stress and nausea should be considered a ringing endorsement of the breathtaking realism of the Experience!

An older gentleman in our group was so overwhelmed that he fell asleep at the bar during the intermission. Unfortunately, rather than discreetly enquiring afterwards about his wellbeing, a member of the bar staff threw quips at him about “catnaps” and “beauty sleep”, to his obvious discomfort. Most of the staff of The Immersive Experience were very solicitous in the care they displayed for our party, but this was an unfortunate lapse.

Of course, nothing was done to us that had not been fully signposted on the website, in the Accessibility Guide. However, the necessary specific warnings are not displayed on the homepage and booking pages, and someone less tech-savvy could easily miss such important messages, and only realise their personal unsuitability to the Experience when signing the waiver on the day. In fact, the “What on Earth is it?” page claims, “All ages 10+: Something the whole family can enjoy from 10+ to 70+!” This feels somewhat misleading: a 10-year-old might easily be traumatised by the graphic immolation scene (it should be treated as a 12 certificate movie) or the VR Martian kidnapping, whilst a 70-year-old might well have problems with the frequent climbing, crouching and crawling necessitated even by the shortcutted-route.

I give these warnings not to dissuade any prospective visitors: on the contrary, it is truly the most inspired storytelling I have ever seen, and I consider the Experience to be unmissable, an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime event.

Verdict: Awe-inspiring, beyond belief, an experience before which all theatre pales – but be sure to thoroughly read all of the warnings in the Accessibility pages, in case one of them pertains to you! 8/10

Sophie Simpson

Tickets for the Immersive Experience are available through Wonder Days