KEY POINTS:
Auckland is due to be invaded by Martians. But it's okay, they come - if not in peace - in the spirit of rock nostalgia. The city's new Vector Arena is to get its biggest production yet, with a live stage version of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds, the blockbuster 1978 concept album inspired by H.G. Wells' sci-fi classic.
Announced last night, the show comes with a 30m video screen carrying animated action from behind 64 musicians and a 9m-high replica of the Martian fighting machine which appeared on the album's front cover.
Wayne will lead the group of musicians and singers which includes Kiwi Chris Thompson, who appeared on the original album which has sold 15 million worldwide and more than 150,000 here. The show's late September date will be confirmed before tickets go on sale early next month.
