The new generation is not that dissimilar to the old.

Its like a fresh coat of paint, put over a very well-crafted house.

I think Jeff was pretty cautious not to screw with what had already been very successful.

Theres just more of a modernisation of the backing track rather than any structural changes to the show.

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Thats right.

He didnt let you in very much.

Is the holographic Neeson as creepy but impressive as the Burton head was?

I think the Burton head had a little bit more eeriness to it, but both are slightly odd.

You want to gain an audience, and its a great piece of work.

You play Parson Nathaniel this time around, a character on the edge of sanity.

is that something thats quite difficult to portray through song?

I think as with a few characters Ive done it just sort of happened, it came to me.

I just sort of saw something else there.

He starts out a bit crazy and gets worse?

Weve also heard that this new generation show features 35-foot tall Martian fighting machines firing real heat-rays?

Its a really exciting show.

And you have an incredible 30, 40-piece orchestra on stage that just brings that score to life.

I think youre right and I think its more of an album than it is a theatrical piece.

However, the characters and the songs make it slightly theatrical.

Thats an interesting question.

But [with an arena show] you dont have to do eight shows a week!

I know which one Id prefer to get it done at once!

Its just more dynamic.

That doesnt make any sense!

But you hear what Im saying.

Are you a fan of science fiction and fantasy in general?

Im not a massive fan of science fiction if Im completely honest.

Im not a Trekkie, thats for sure.

But I appreciate why people are interested in it.

Youve done work in so many different areas, is it fun to try out different genres?

Yeah, variety is really important to me.

Im very lucky in my career to have had that.

Theres still a lot of stuff Id like to do.

Id like to do more television, more straight acting per se, but theres still time.

Would you particularly like to go back to TV drama?

What sort of genres do you enjoy watching?

I like a great film, I love to go the theatre, I love a musical.

I love to be entertained, Im not prejudicial when it comes to that sort of stuff.

I dont watch a lot of TV series, I tend to get a little bit bored with them.

Youve done a lot of live work, both on stage and on TV, like Strictly Come Dancing.

Do you especially enjoy live performance of all sorts?

I think as a performer its what keeps it exciting.

Theres nothing like the applause at live performance, theres nothing like that adrenaline.

That helps you with your other craft as well.

Is there a big difference between theatrical work and arenas and live performance for TV like Strictly?

Well,Strictlyis really nerve-wracking.

I find that quite difficult.

I would say its pretty much the most nerve-wracking thing Ive ever done.

What else has really scared you over the course of your career?

The beginning of my theatre career inJoseph, that was pretty stressful.

But Id sayStrictlyis probably the most [stressful] thing Ive ever done.

Of all the work youve done, what are you the most proud of?

Thats like saying which child you like the best!

All my work Im proud of.

Whats your biggest unfulfilled ambition?

To do some good quality television and film.

To write a hit song.

Its always been a bit of a hobby for me rather than something that I work at.

Id take any one of them!

Catering is a little bit better in America, I hear.

Whats next for you?

Im still doingPriscillaat the moment, that goes for another six months, on and off.

Im trying get some work in television and see if thats where I can go next.

War of the Worlds and Priscilla must be very different shows…

But that shows the extent of how far I can stretch myself as a performer and my versatility.

I can go from being a camp drag queen to a nutty priest.

Are you ever Method about your roles?

No, I just get out there and do them.

Im quite focused when Im onstage.

Im not someone who just breezes through it, its never been an easy process for me.

The problem with performing is, unlike an instrument, you cant just tune it up.

I think there are a lot of theatrical roles out there.

At the moment Im just happy trying to entertain this idea of maybe thinking beyond theatre.

I love doing theatre but I think you better have another story.

Its just ironic that, 25 years on, thats probably one of the things Im most known for.

Thats something that I have carved out and Im proud of that.

Might that encourage audiences into theatres who wouldnt otherwise go?

Hopefully, theres no point doing it if theres no one watching it!

Jason Donovan, thank you for talking to us.

Jeff Waynes Musical Version of The War of the Worlds…

The New Generation, is released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday 25 November through Universal Pictures.

Juliette Harrisson is a Classicist, writer and Trekkie.