Bournemouth, April 13 2025

The live staging of the classic 1970s programme rock concept album hits the road again, with a few more tweaks to keep things fresh.

In so many ways, Jeff Wayne’s concert tour is an easy sell for me. Being captivated by the 1978 double album, I always dreamed of seeing this inventive sci-fi tale turned into a movie. While the celluloid version never happened, the stage show seemed a tantalising idea, and this is the fifth tour I’ve enjoyed since its launch in 2006.

So, what’s different this time round? Let’s start with what’s the same – Jeff is still conducting, leading the ULLAdubULLA Strings and 10-piece Black Smoke Band. There’s also a giant Martian fighting machine that spouts jets of flames, a bridge that descends into the audience, and a holographic Liam Neeson that interacts with the actors on the stage.

So far so reassuringly familiar – what’s new? As always, the cast are a mix of fresh faces from pop music and pop culture. Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari) impresses as the Artilleryman, Max George (The Wanted) a gritty Parson Nathaniel, supported by real life spouse Maisie Smith (EastEnders) as Beth, and Charlie Smith (Busted) as the Sung Thoughts of the Journalist. Nathan James returns for a third tour as the Voice of Humanity, and Anna-Marie Wayne is Carrie again.

To my ears, the orchestrations sounded fresher, with the musicians given the freedom to jam within certain constraints. It’s nothing like the major revamp of the New Generation version, but still confident enough to take the classic songs and give them a freshening up.

Will Jeff and co return in 2028 for a 50th anniversary tour? I really hope so. And while it’s this fun and spectacular, it will never outstay its welcome.

Verdict: Reassuringly familiar but not afraid to play with the established classic songs. A wonderful night of live entertainment. 9/10

Nick Joy