The National Theatre will be encouraging audiences to put on their dancing shoes later this year when Fat Boy Slim and David Byrne’s New York hit musical Here Lies Love makes its London premiere.
American Alex Timbers, who directed the disco-tastic piece at New York’s acclaimed Public Theatre last year, will return to direct the famously immersive show that invites the audience to dance along with the cast when it embarks on its London run at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre from 30 September.
Telling the story of singer turned First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos, Here Lies Love recounts her incredible life from her childhood spent in poverty to her rise to life in the political spotlight.
Featuring songs by Talking Heads’ Byrne and musical contributions from Norman Cook – better known as the hugely successful DJ Fatboy Slim – the show won rave reviews for its 2013 run over the pond. Praised for its electrifying songs and disco spirit, Here Lies Love encouraged whole audiences to get on their feet alongside the roving cast who moved throughout the theatre to create a uniquely interactive production as colourful as the woman at its centre.
In The Guardian’s Alexis Soloski’s four star review, the writer described the show as “a vigorous, intelligent, and helplessly danceable song cycle,” commenting: “Those Fatboy Slim beats are infectious and Byrne’s production is designed to leave you in high spirits.”
Full details of casting and whether the National Theatre plans to replicate the innovative 360 degree immersive staging for its London run are yet to be announced.