After years of Defying Gravity, one green witch is getting ready to tackle terrifying aliens in a brand new version of mega musical The War of the Worlds.

Kerry Ellis, impressively nicknamed First Lady of the West End, has been announced as Beth in The New Generation version of Jeff Wayne’s show.

The award-winning Wicked star will be joined on stage by rocker Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs when the exciting production hits The O2 Arena, Greenwich.

She told Vibe: “Jeff asked me to and meet him – he’s a bit of a legend, it was amazing.

“We had a little chat about the show and that was it.

“It was really nice to meet him.

“We haven’t started rehearsals but I remember the whole storyline vaguely from when I was a kid and had it on cassette – I remember the music most.

“Now I get the chance to play Beth and be part of the newly adapted show which is a dream.”

Kerry was the first British Elphaba in the West End’s Wicked and after a year-and-a-half stint she travelled to New York to perform the role on Broadway for six months before returning to tackle a further six months as the emerald character in London.

She added: “Wicked was amazing.

“It was a huge part of my life.

“I got a bit tinged with green but it’s gone now.

“I can’t wait to be touring.”

The loony rock opera about Martians is returning to the UK for the fifth time since 2006 with a completely new cast and fresh interpretation of the score.

New additions to the show include a three-tonne, 35ft tall Martian Fighting Machine which fires real heat rays at the audience, scans them with its bug-like eyes and ‘incinerates’ a cast member.

Actor Liam Neeson will be appearing as The Journalist in the form of the world’s first full body 3D hologram, interacting with live performers on stage.

Kerry added: “It’s a bit surreal but it’s going to be great fun – like playing a game.

“There will be huge aliens that shoot fire and all sorts of stuff.

“Jeff’s written new arrangements so it’s going to be something new and exciting for people who have seen it before with a live orchestra and band.”

Ricky Wilson, lead singer of the Kaiser Chiefs will appear as The Artilleryman in his first ever performance role.

He said: “It is daunting to do because people love it so much. “But I want to start doing things that scare me.”

And Jeff Wayne, composer/producer, who will again conduct the production, said: “Over the years, I’ve been so fortunate to have had the participation of some truly great artists.

“For me, the real bonus is that I’ve always been a true fan of those who I’ve approached and when they’ve come on board, to me it’s not been ‘work’, just great fun.

“Already, Ricky Wilson and Kerry Ellis, the first two guest artists for our New Generation tour fall into that category.

“Ricky because of his command on stage with the wonderful Kaiser Chiefs, and Kerry who I saw in the original production of Wicked in London’s West End, whose voice and charismatic performance drew the audience to her like a magnet.”

Remaining guest artistes will be revealed in the coming months.

The show comes to The O2 Arena on Saturday December 15.

For tickets visit theo2.co.uk