IN 1938, news reports of an alien invasion stunned a nation, sending millions of Americans fleeing for their lives.

But there were no UFOs to run from.

The broadcast was a radio play, War Of The Worlds, written by H.G. Wells, and interpreted by heavyweight writer, producer, and actor Orson Welles.

Ambitious drama students from Heathfield Community School are now seeking to tackle War Of The Worlds themselves for a split-stage performance at Taunton's Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre.

The group of 15- and 16-year-olds are one of six groups laying on on full-length plays for their BTEC in performing arts, as part of Heathfield's 21st Year 11 Drama Festival.

Head of drama Graeme Ryan explained the beauty of the stage split in highlighting the fallout of the broadcast.

“With radio performers on one side of the stage, on the other you can see how events turn from concern to hysteria as people treat what they hear as reality.”

So how have Year 11s responded to War Of the Worlds?

“Very well,” Graeme continues. “They’ve really understood what an interesting story it is.

“It was the first time in the history of the western world when mass media brainwashed a population – something Hitler and the Nazis were already harnessing.

“Six million people fled from their houses across America.”

Next up in the programme for Heathfield's Year 11 Drama Festival is Blood Brothers next month.

See tacchi-morris.com for ticketing details and times.