Landing on stage: The War of the Worlds, boldly reimagined.

3 hours ago
2 min read

War of the Worlds at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. 18 March until the 21 March 2026. Adapted by imitating the dog.

Review by David Court

It is generally considered poor form to invoke one’s own experience in a review, yet here it provides useful context. Some years ago, I attended a stage adaptation of Berberian Sound Studio at the Donmar Warehouse - one of the most remarkable pieces of theatre I have seen. For those familiar with the film, it follows a sound engineer thrust into an unfamiliar and increasingly disorienting environment, much of its tension rooted in the creation of sound effects. The stage production mirrored this by employing live foley artists - performers who recreate sound effects using everyday objects—executing every auditory detail in full view of the audience. It set a benchmark for theatrical innovation I did not expect to see exceeded.

And yet, here we are.

First published in serial form in Pearson’s Magazine in 1897, H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds has inspired countless adaptations, from its notorious radio broadcast to a musical to a range of film and television interpretations. Imitating the dog’s version takes a bold step in relocating the narrative to the swinging sixties. The story centres on Will Travers, recovering in hospital after being injured at a National Front march - an unsettling reframing that introduces a parallel between Wells’ extraterrestrial invaders and more familiar, human forms of hostility – a group concerned with an altogether far different “alien invasion”.

What follows is nothing short of astonishing. A cast of four delivers a performance of exceptional precision, not only inhabiting multiple roles but simultaneously functioning as technicians, filmmakers, and illusionists. Through an intricate blend of lighting, forced perspective, back projection, and sleight-of-hand manipulation of props, entire environments are conjured in real time. The mechanics of theatre are laid bare, yet the effect is no less magical for it - indeed, quite the opposite.

This is theatre at its most inventive: a seamless fusion of performance and production that demands both technical mastery and creative ambition. The result is a work that is as intellectually engaging as it is visually compelling.

Imitating the dog’s War of the Worlds achieves a rare balance, remaining faithful to the spirit of Wells’ original - particularly its allegorical commentary on colonial violence -while offering a fresh and thought-provoking reinterpretation. It is an exhilarating and innovative production that lingers long in the memory and comes highly recommended both at the Belgrade Theatre and on its UK tour.