Fatboy Slim and David Byrne Collaborate

As strange as it may sound, Norman Cook and David Byrne of Talking Heads’ fame, have come together to produce a theatrical music event inspired by the phenomenon of Imelda Marcos. It is to be called ‘Here Lies Love.’

Imelda Marcos and her dictator husband Ferdinand, ruled The Philippines for decades. Imelda loved the nightlife in all parts of the world, and in New York’s Studio 54 so much, that she installed a disco in her NYC townhouse. Her life was a non-stop party, featuring politicians, arms dealers, financiers, artists, musicians and the international jet set.

According to the Adelaide Bank Festival which will be hosting the theatre premiere next year:

“Here Lies Love recreates (and musically updates) that buoyant mood in a music and theatrical event that hits the highs, the lows, the triumphs, the tears, the rise and the eventual fall of this truly astounding political figure.”

“Told from the point of view of the players in this remarkable story, Here Lies Love is a club piece, and a multimedia extravaganza, directed by Marianne Weems, the internationally acclaimed Artistic Director of New York ensemble The Builders' Association. The venue will be transformed into a giant dance club with singers, multiple video screens and operating bar.”

The continuous music and lyrics are by Byrne with the rest of music provided by Byrne and Fatboy Slim together.

After opening in Adelaide, the work is planned to tour to the Liverpool Biennial, festivals in Europe and BAM's Next Wave Festival in New York in 2007.