David Bowie Denies Consenting to Musical Based on His Works | Playbill

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News David Bowie Denies Consenting to Musical Based on His Works Although it was announced that Heroes, a new production based on the works of David Bowie, would receive its charity world premiere at London's IndigO2 March 11, 2012, representatives for Bowie released a statement saying the artist has not given his consent for such a project.

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David Bowie

"Neither the David Bowie Organization, nor its co-publishers EMI Music and Chrysalis, has issued a license for a Bowie musical at the O2, as has been reported in the U.K.," according to the statement. "There are no negotiations pending for a long-running musical featuring the music of Mr. Bowie."

The show was scheduled to feature a cast of over 30 performers and a live band, performing such tunes as "Heroes," "Let's Dance," "The Man Who Sold the World" and "The Jean Genie." Heroes was to be written and produced by Deep Singh and Carl Wilks, and directed and choreographed by Matthew Gould.

A spokesperson for Heroes would only say, "Discussions are continuing."

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In a press statement, Singh had commented about securing the rights to Bowie's music: "We could not really believe it when they gave us permission. [Bowie's] people had warned us that it was very unlikely that he would be interested and that he had been asked many times before." But he added, "We did not want Mr. Bowie to think it was going to be a tribute show, and that seems to have had an effect. Mr. Bowie's representatives have been incredibly supportive when we have asked them for things and yet hands-off in terms of letting us get on with the project." According to press materials, Heroes  is set in a  "dystopian world created and controlled by the ruthless Smart Simon. With the ferocious Diamond Dogs patrolling to keep order, Starman, Tom, Genet and Blue Jean awake in a 'prison cell' of a world in which they are trapped - not knowing how or why they got there. It becomes clear that they have lost their identities... their souls. A vibrant young 'dude', David, infiltrates the cell, having tricked his way in through guile and original thought, determined to end their incarceration. In contrast to Smart Simon’s mindless mantra, David proclaims that they symbolise and embody all that he (we) finds heroic... their music, their originality and their creativity - exactly what the world is missing. In retaliation, Smart Simon offers them a wealth of material things and the glory of fame to entice them to stay. After grappling with temptation and self-doubt, they embrace their free will, examine their consciences and begin to re-discover who they really are. Finally the group reject the empty existence Smart Simon offers. Faced with the exposure of the vacuous material world he has created (in which he too has become a prisoner) Smart Simon breaks down. However, instead of seeking retribution, our re-born 'Heroes' offer him understanding, love, friendship and consequently redemption. They are ready to break out and free all others. They are all Heroes now, as are we... even if it’s just for one day."

For more information visit www.heroesthemusical.com.

 
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