New South Bank theatre scoops Marcos musical
THE national will open its newly named Dorfman Theatre in the autumn with a scorching musical about imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines.
Here Lies Love, a show created by f ormer Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and superstar DJ Fatboy slim, charts the rise of Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, to the tune of a disco beat.
as directed with dazzling audacity by alex Timbers, the production has been acclaimed in new York where it has just returned to the Public Theatre for a second run.
it’s a brilliant way to relaunch the venue formerly known as the cottesloe. The auditorium has been re-fitted with seating that can be easily re- configured, as well as new lighting and other refurbishments.
nT artistic chief nicholas Hytner and executive director nick starr were in new York this week, putting the final touches to negotiations to transfer Here Lies Love to the south Bank. Hytner confirmed to me that the show would be at the Dorfman in October.
Early stages of casting have already begun, l ooking for actors to portray the Marcoses and other key characters.
The piece isn’t a straight biography of the couple. Byrne has incorporated speeches made by Marcos and his wife into the lyrics of his songs.
The action is set in a disco that constantly changes shape: the audience stands, and is moved around as the set is transformed. when i saw it in new York, i just joined in and danced (or tried to!) to the pulsating beat. (There will be room in the Dorfman for seats for those who don’t want to get that exercised.) The national and the Public started talking about a possible transfer 12 months ago. Those t alks wavered several times, on both sides, but there was a determination by executives at the nT to secure the show.
The first time i caught it, i thought it was the best original musical i’d seen in years. i also thought the nT — and the cottesloe, as it then was — would be a perfect home away from home for the show.
it’s very accessible, with a great score; marvellously staged, with dancers moving around the raised, adjustable platforms. The set’s surrounded by two dozen TV screens filled with footage and facts on politics in the Philippines.
it’s well known that Mrs Marcos had a shoe fetish. she had hundreds of pairs stashed away in closets. But, mercifully, there wasn’t a shoe in sight at the Public Theatre. it’s not one of those cliché-ridden shows.
By the way, Hytner and starr were the recipients of special honours at the Olivier awards, held at the royal Opera House in covent garden last sunday. Both are stepping down next year, after more than a decade running the national.