Orson Welles’
War of the Worlds
Developed by the artists of maddest (w)rung, Play the Moment , and Questionable Productions.
Why do we fall into fear so easily? Why do we trust that the worst scenario is the most likely scenario?
The FCC labeled it as an act of terrorism. On October 30, 1938 twelve million people were sent into a state of panic when they heard the live reports of a Martian invasion. Many evacuated their homes, abandoned their lives and rushed the streets in mass hysteria—all a result of a news bulletin, which interrupted their evening radio program.
It was the greatest hoax fallen for by the greatest number of people. And it was meant to be a bit of holiday fun. Actor Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater On The Air claim they meant to provide the public a little thrill as a Halloween treat by performing the story War of the Worlds by H.G. Welles. But the public didn’t hear the disclaimer at the beginning of the program, as many claim.
But this was a public that were already living with anxiety. America was accustomed to interruptions in their radio programs. The community was ready for the worst scenario, as tensions in Europe were rising and ominous warnings of German invasions became a regular occurrence during America’s prime time radio hour. The American public was expecting this.
Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds is a perspective on the experience of collective fear media manipulation, and attempts to reveal the tricks behind the hoax, the control that the media holds over us, and our inherent nature that makes us susceptible to fear.
Press/blogs
"Orson Wells’ War of the Worlds Written by Orson Wells Directed by Aradhana Tiwari and Joseph Fletcher Presented by: Play The Moment and Questionable Productions Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Orlando, FL" - Archikulture Digest Read
Artist-Blogger Thomas Thorspecken blogs the making of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds -The Orlando Florida Sketchbook of Thomas Thorspecken Read
"Actress and teacher Erika Wilhite tells us about her upcoming production of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds, her pending move to Fayetteville, Arkansas, her experiences with the Orlando Fringe Festival and Hysteria!" -Florida Creatives Read
"This intricate combination of artists and styles all comes out of Fletcher, Tiwari and Wilhite, friends since graduate school, deciding to put on a show instead of going on vacation together. They found their performance space before they had a script." - Orlando Weekly Read