We'd heard rumours for months but now it's official: David Bowie's musical LAZARUS, based on his final album Blackstar, will receive its posthumous London premiere this autumn. It transfers to London, following its sell-out Off-Broadway success, bringing along for the ride its American stars including Michael C Hall (a.k.a TV's favourite serial killer Dexter)...
David Bowie made his last public appearance at the opening night of his Off-Broadway musical LAZARUS on 7 December 2015. The album on which it is based, Blackstar, was released on his 69th birthday on 8 January 2016; he died two days later. The title song begins with the words: “Look up here, I’m in Heaven”. Bowie’s musical now receives its posthumous London premiere, in a limited season at King’s Cross Theatre from 25 October 2016 to 22 January 2017, with a press night on 8 November. Dexter television star Michael C Hall reprises his lead role, along with original co-stars Michael Esper and Sophia Anne Caruso.
Inspired by the book, The Man Who Fell To Earth by Walter Tevis, LAZARUS focuses on Thomas Newton, as he remains still on Earth – a ‘man’ unable to die, his head soaked in cheap gin and haunted by a past love. We follow Newton during the course of a few days where the arrival of another lost soul – might set him finally free.
LAZARUS premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop from 18 November 2015 until 20 January 2016 and sold out in record time. Reprising their roles from the original New York production are Michael C Hall, Michael Esper and Sophia Anne Caruso. Full casting will be announced at a later date.
LAZARUS is directed by internationally acclaimed Belgian director Ivo van Hove (Olivier and Tony Award winner for A View from the Bridge; artistic director of Toneelgroep Amsterdam) and designed by Jan Versweyweld, with costumes by An D’Huys, vidoe by Tal Yarden, sound by Brian Ronan and Tony Gayle, music direction by Henry Hey and choreography by Annie-B Parson. It’s by Robert Fox Ltd. and Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment.
