What could be better than seeing Jeff Waynes classic concept album fully realised in all its over the top glory? What could be more amazing than a 30ft martian fighting machine in the middle of the room?  What could be more inspiring than the closest thing to a live performance any of us likely to see of Richard Burton? What could be more fun than seeing Shannon Noll getting what he deserves for subjecting us to that song about his car? 

Michael Falzon in a uniform!

hmmmm WOTW - dont know where to start..................

how bout - so good after seeing it friday night - I got up sat morn and bought tickets for sat night ?

Jeff Wayne, the band and orchestra rocked out ....... 10/10
Its a bit hard to judge most of the cast as they really only had 1 song each but -

Justin Hayward - didnt quite hit a few of his notes friday night - but spot on Sat Night
Chris Thompson - great rock type voice. Would love to hear some more of him live .....
Rachael Beck - beautiful voice great stage presence.
Shannon Noll - was good - about what I expected from him, his voice didnt quite carry as well as the other performers - he also had a few mike/sound problems Friday but this seemed to be better Sat.
anyone else? -

oh.... special effects awesome - the 3d Richard Burton was amazing.

umm who else - I know I am forgetting someone

oh thats right Michael.......

talk about owning the stage - He was excellent both nights, having said that - to the trained eye (ie me) he was more lively the first night (but if you hadn't seen both nights you wouldnt have known I guess, he just seemed a smidge tireder the second night - understandable I guess) - his acting was brilliant, great accent, Michael had the hardest part of interacting with the 3d richard burton head but did it so well you would have thought he was standing with him - his voice sounded stronger - his looks even stronger  and the best bit -  

MITSO can now officially join the ranks of stage door stalker - Michael had a little stand set up for signings after both nights ......... ummmmmmm MITSO *swoons* OMG !!!! what a great guy - signed everything we had - chatted, was happy for pics - Sat night my friends 10 yr old came with us - Michael was so good with him - shook his hand, asked him if he liked the show, had a pic with him. 10 yr old was blown away by it. Oh and a certain someone may have left their hand linger on a certain "shagadelic one's" back/behind for just a second longer than necessary during her pic

I brought his EP which hasnt left the cd player yet - I know we have all heard it on his website (well I have anyway) but the songs on the EP have been arranged a little different and sound even better....

....... Other guest artists included Rachel Beck, Chris Thompson, Shannon Noll and Michael Falzon. My major qualm about the show was these performers were not showcased enough. While the drawings and effects on screen were amazing and the orchestra played beautifully, as a musical I wanted a great deal more singing.

Of the performers, Justin Hayward was enchanting as he sang “Forever Autumn” and Michael Falzon can be credited for keeping the energy from falling throughout the piece. As for Shannon Noll, he did surprisingly well but I was unable to decipher his accent. Rachael Beck was in fine form adding to the drama of the narrative.

By Sandra Bahbah, September 10, 2007 10:39am

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,,22392296-5005364,00.html 

image source:www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,,22392296-5005364,00.html 

Bronte performer and singer/songwriter Michael Falzon will play the role of the Artillery Man in the stage adaptation of 'The War Of The Worlds'.

Bronte's Michael Falzon is no stranger to surreal situations, having performed as Freddie Mercury to thousands and singing 'That's Amore' on the lap of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

But when he takes the stage alongside a 30-foot Martian spaceship and the hologram of a deceased actor for his role in the stage adaptation of The War Of The Worlds in September, he could be in for his most bizarre experience yet.

The 35 year-old will play the role of the Artillery Man in the musical version of HG Wells' famous novel.

"It is going to be huge. They have this huge stage with three massive screens, where the whole album is storyboarded, animated in CGI, and there is a 30-foot Martian machine that will shoot a heat ray into the audience," Michael said.

Michael will be accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra conducted by original composer Jeff Wayne.

Original singers Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues and Manfred Mann's Chris Thompson will also reprise their roles, while a hologram of Richard Burton will serve as the story's narrator.

Having listened to the album as a child, Michael was amazed when he got the call about the role.

"I did an audition and sent it off to Jeff Wayne in London. About three weeks later we were in the studio learning it all with him. It was a real whirlwind," Michael said.

His role in the show will continue a run of performances that pay homage to the musicians and music he grew up with, having starred as Freddie Mercury in the Australian run of the Ben Elton/Queen musical We Will Rock You.

"I keep on getting these things I listened to when I was younger. You never think that you would sing this stuff, which you sang with a hairbrush as a kid, with the guys who created it," he said.

Michael will also be giving people a chance to listen to his own music, releasing a solo EP during The War Of The Worlds tour, to be followed by a full album next year.

http://www.villagevoice.com.au/article/20070724/LFS07/707240332

 Michael Falzon as the Artilleryman totally embodied the character, complete with quirky English accent, that was very reminiscent of David Essex who played the original role.

Falzon spent a lot of time during The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine crawling and rolling around the stage as if in battle......

.....Michael Falzon had more of a chance to show his vocal range in the song Brave New World - he also made full use of the stage, running up and down like a man possessed, so that when he sang the line 'I'm ready for a bit of a rest after all that', you could understand why.

 www.stuff.co.nz/%204220514a1860.html

image source: http://www.michaelfalzon.com/