WHEELING, W.Va. – The truth is out there, and you can find it in Wheeling at the Capitol Theatre this weekend.
The national tour of Ancient Aliens Live, based on the hit HISTORY Channel show, is coming to the Friendly City Sunday evening, March 30, bringing information on UFOs and the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth for thousands of years.
Nick Pope, a former British Ministry of Defence official who worked on the U.K.’s UFO desk, spoke with River News Network about the show and whether humans are really alone in the universe.
“We’ll be taking the audience on a journey around the world and back in time to examine incredible constructions and achievements of our ancestors,” Pope said. “We ask the question, what inspired these feats, and could they be connected to the idea that humanity might have had teachers—perhaps extraterrestrial visitors?”
Pope moderates the ninety-minute live show which is a “greatest hits” of the television series. Ancient Aliens Live features Pope plus regular contributors from the program including ancient astronaut theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, investigative mythologist William Henry and ancient civilizations expert Jason Martell
The live experience seeks to connect ancient mysteries with contemporary UFO discourse, bridging topics such as the Pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, and even artifacts from Central American antiquity that resemble modern jet fighters. The show will also touch upon the ongoing disclosure movement within the U.S. government, congressional hearings, and newly declassified UFO-related documents (officially called Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAPs).
“There’s been a flurry of disclosure in recent years,” Pope noted. “We have reports from the Pentagon describing UFOs with advanced capabilities, such as spoofing military radar systems. It’s not just lights in the sky—this is technology.”
Pope says interest in UFOs crosses political lines. Pope highlighted bipartisan support in Congress for greater UFO disclosure, mentioning figures such as Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Former Senator and now Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Air Force veteran and Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.)
“The subject has moved from the fringe into the mainstream,” Pope said. “There are people in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, pushing for more answers. It’s fascinating to see how this has evolved.”
Ufology has entered mainstream media and entertainment. Journalist Tucker Carlson had a regular UFO feature on his former network news show where Pope was a featured guest 14 times. Carlson also appeared on Ancient Aliens where Pope had the chance to interview him. Science fiction movies like Star Trek and Star Wars and games have been popular for decades, so Pope thinks the public is primed for the truth about aliens.
For those skeptical of ancient astronaut theories or UFO disclosures, Pope encourages open-mindedness. “We respect differing opinions, but I’d invite doubters to come and listen. Some of the engineering feats of the past simply don’t add up with the tools that were available at the time. We’re just asking the questions.”
While the show’s theories may be controversial, the conversation onstage is fun.
“We want to strike a balance between presenting compelling information and having fun,” Pope said. “We often end up having a little friendly banter on stage, especially about Giorgio’s hair.”
Tsoukalos is famous for his distinctive big hairstyle and is a favorite subject of memes.
Wheeling’s interest in UFOs runs deeper than some might expect. The area has an active UFO discussion group, and notable sightings have occurred nearby, such as the Kecksburg Incident in Pennsylvania in 1965. Pope believes that smaller cities like Wheeling provide an authentic experience for the tour, allowing fans from all regions to engage with the show in a unique way.
“We love bringing this to audiences outside of the major cities,” Pope said. “There’s something special about connecting with people in places you might not expect to see a show like this.”
The event will be held at the Capitol Theatre, a venue known for its country music history. Pope, a self-proclaimed country music convert, expressed enthusiasm about visiting the theater.
“After moving to the U.S., I’ve grown to love country music,” he said.
Pope hopes for a packed house. “We have passionate fans who have attended multiple shows across the country. It’s great to share this experience live and in person.”
For those intrigued by the ancient mysteries of the universe, Ancient Aliens Live promises an evening of exploration, debate, and entertainment. The event takes place this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling.
Click here or on the ad on rivernews.org for tickets and VIP packages, which include a backstage meet-and-greet.
