The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script based on the novel by H.G. Wells by Howard E. Koch

(24)
Productions (483)
Science Fiction Drama
|
60 - 65 minutes
5 M, 6 Any (4-22 actors possible: 0-9 W, 4-22 M)
Set: Minimal.

Broadcast from New York's Mercury Theatre in 1938, this infamous radio play, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, had many terrified listeners convinced that an actual alien invasion of Earth was taking place. Adapted by Howard E. Koch, co-writer of Casablanca, and directed and narrated by Orson Welles, this original script detailing the frightening tale of an extraterrestrial takeover is now available to bring to life onstage to thrill and chill audiences. Read More

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $90
Standard Edition $13.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $90. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Broadcast from New York's Mercury Theatre in 1938, this infamous radio play, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, had many terrified listeners convinced that an actual alien invasion of Earth was taking place. Adapted by Howard E. Koch, co-writer of Casablanca, and directed and narrated by Orson Welles, this original script detailing the frightening tale of an extraterrestrial takeover is now available to bring to life onstage to thrill and chill audiences.

(An annotated manuscript of this radio play, with notes and changes marked by Orson Welles, is also available.)

  • Science Fiction Drama
  • |
  • 60 - 65 minutes
  • 5 M, 6 Any (4-22 actors possible: 0-9 W, 4-22 M)
  • Set: Minimal.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-465-3

Published Reviews

"So terrifying in its accounts of invading Martians wielding deadly heat-rays that it is remembered like no other radio programme."

Professor W. Joseph Campbell, BBC News magazine

"[War of the Worlds] remains vibrantly alive in the American consciousness."

Leonard Maltin, Indiewire

Production History

OCT 23, 2025 - OCT 26, 2025
Thunder River Theatre
Carbondale, CO United States
Thunder River TheatreCarbondale, CO United States
SEP 24, 2025 - SEP 28, 2025
Evergreen Productions
De Pere, WI United States
Evergreen ProductionsDe Pere, WI United States
MAR 28, 2025 - MAR 29, 2025
Silver Lining Players
Stow, OH United States
Silver Lining PlayersStow, OH United States
MAR 01, 2025 - MAR 16, 2025
Pulse Opera House
Warren, IN United States
Pulse Opera HouseWarren, IN United States
JAN 31, 2025 - JAN 31, 2025
Juneau Ghost Light Theatre
Juneau, AK United States
Juneau Ghost Light TheatreJuneau, AK United States
JAN 15, 2025 - JAN 15, 2025
Flint School of Performing Arts - Theatre Dept.
Flint, MI United States
Flint School of Performing Arts - Theatre Dept.Flint, MI United States
DEC 27, 2024 - DEC 29, 2024
Woodland Opera House
Woodland, CA United States
Woodland Opera HouseWoodland, CA United States
NOV 15, 2024 - NOV 16, 2024
Kansas City Academy
Kansas City, MO United States
Kansas City AcademyKansas City, MO United States
NOV 09, 2024 - NOV 09, 2024
MANISTEE COUNTY LIBRARY
Manistee, MI United States
MANISTEE COUNTY LIBRARYManistee, MI United States
OCT 30, 2024 - OCT 30, 2024
Air Zoo
Portage, MI United States
Air ZooPortage, MI United States
1 of 49
OCT 23, 2025 - OCT 26, 2025
Thunder River Theatre
Carbondale, CO United States
Thunder River TheatreCarbondale, CO United States
SEP 24, 2025 - SEP 28, 2025
Evergreen Productions
De Pere, WI United States
Evergreen ProductionsDe Pere, WI United States
OCT 31, 2020 - OCT 31, 2020
Metropolitan Playhouse
New York, NY United States
Metropolitan PlayhouseNew York, NY United States
OCT 30, 2020 - NOV 02, 2020
Keen Theater Company
New York, NY United States
Keen Theater CompanyNew York, NY United States
JAN 21, 2020 - FEB 09, 2020
Montana Repertory Theatre
missoula, MT United States
Montana Repertory Theatremissoula, MT United States
JUN 26, 2019 - JUL 07, 2019
TEATRO COLON Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
TEATRO COLON ArgentinaBuenos Aires, Argentina
OCT 30, 2016 - OCT 30, 2016
SRDX FX
Williamsburg, VA United States
SRDX FXWilliamsburg, VA United States
OCT 28, 2016 - OCT 30, 2016
Capital Classics Theatre Company
Hartford, CT United States
Capital Classics Theatre CompanyHartford, CT United States
OCT 31, 2015 - OCT 31, 2015
Festival 56 Theatre
Princeton, IL United States
Festival 56 TheatrePrinceton, IL United States
JAN 17, 2015 - JAN 17, 2015
Sci-Fest
Los Angeles, CA United States
Sci-FestLos Angeles, CA United States
OCT 31, 2014 - OCT 31, 2014
Stark Naked Theatre Company
Houston, TX United States
Stark Naked Theatre CompanyHouston, TX United States
OCT 30, 2014 - OCT 30, 2014
Indiana Historical Society
Indianapolis, IN United States
Indiana Historical SocietyIndianapolis, IN United States
1 of 2

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com

eScript Details

eScript Digital Editions cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.) It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices.

You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.