Melbourne is about to get a rare treat – the premiere of the David Bowie musical Lazarus.
There is an element about David Bowie that still astonishes, and will continue to for years to come. The singer, songwriter, actor and visual artist known for his glam, pop, rock and experimental music will always be known as one of the leading, if not the most influential musicians of the Twentieth Century.
While his music and visual work continues, there is one particular legacy he has left behind, being the stage musical he created along with writer Enda Walsh – Lazarus.
Lazarus, inspired by the Walter Tevis novel The Man Who Fell To Earth, was also made into a 1976 film with Bowie. The story focuses on Thomas Newton, an alien stuck on Earth and longing to go home. Unable to die, he discovers there may be hope yet when another being enters his life.
Thanks to The Production Company, Lazarus makes its Australian premiere at the Arts Centre Melbourne, with a cast including Mike McLeish, Emily Milledge and Phoebe Panarentos. While Helpmann Award winner iOTA plays the role of Valentine, Chris Ryan, remembered for King Kong, plays Newton.
In taking on the role, Ryan has discovered a complex yet intriguing story that is not without its challenges.
“In a way Lazarus is a sequel, but very much it’s own work,” says Ryan.
It’s set many years later and he’s the same character, now a very successful businessman in New York, but longs to get to his home planet. We find him holed up in his apartment, shunning the world drinking gin and rotting away. He’s caught between worlds and is brokenhearted from a woman he loved. He’s a man at a crisis point, lost and torn between worlds,” says Ryan.
“It’s a complex space to occupy and there’s a notion that the whole show takes place in the character’s mind, which is a complexity in itself. The style of the writing asks more than any other show I’ve done,” he says.
“Performing is a bit like that generally, but this one really places you into the immediate now. It brings out the high stakes, as it’s all happening in real time.
“It’s about the character’s quest to change and evolve. There are many ways you can read into it, but it’s about metamorphosis, change and death. There are some theories that the character is already dead and trying to reconcile his past with himself. The whole play is basically played out inside his mind.”
Directed by Michael Kantor and with choreography by Stephanie Lake, this production will very much fall under the spotlight not only for theatregoers, including Heroes and Life on Mars? Ryan preforms the show’s title track.
For Ryan, immersing himself in the world of Bowie was very much a new experience.
“I didn’t know a great deal about Bowie, but knew him as an icon and a colossus,” he says.
“Working on this project has been an amazing way to delve into the world of Bowie. It’s hard to know sometimes where to even begin, because it’s terrifyingly extraordinary what Bowie accomplished. It’s mind blowing. I’m sure he was from another planet!”
Reviews for Lazarus have varied in the extreme from five stars to one. This is of no surprise given Bowies diverse and complex artistry, which many call genius. After all, this is the artist who influenced Kate Bush’s career.
As Ryan puts it, the ultimate message of Lazarus is a universal one about living, dying and the human condition.
“I think there’s a great catharsis in it,” he says.
“On one level it’s kind of rock concert and on the other it’s a story about the struggle for life, death and the humanity that runs through us all. There’s a beautiful sense in the show of release and of really unify people. That certainly feels to be the intent of the piece. For any Bowie fan, it feels like a bit of a farewell. There are certain things that I say in it, and I think it’s him delivering a message for sure. Even some of our crew has said they feel his presence around. It’s like he’s still doing stuff, even in death!
Lazarus plays the Arts Centre Melbourne 18 May – 9 June
For more: theproductioncompany.com.au
