One of the best shows to hit London in a while.
Here Lies Love by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim is a 90-minute tour de force disco musical. Mirror balls, laser lights, loud beats, video projections and dancers on rotating platforms tell the story of local beauty queen becomes de facto President of the Philippines. It’s Jackie Kennedy meets Eva Peron at Studio 54 in an immersive theatrical event – yes, you get to dance on stage. Big hair, big shoulder pads and bigger hits. There are none of those infamous shoes, though.
Here Lies Love
The songs tell the story – there’s a useful timeline here – of rags to riches to fall from grace.
The young Imelda lives in a leaking garage, she’s looked after by Estrella, a servant from the rich neighbour’s house – they both sing the story of Imelda’s life. She moves to the big city, meets a journalist Ninoy Aquino; gets dumped, gets a job singing in a piano store and is crowned Miss Manila attracting the attention of rising political star Ferdinand Marcos who woos and marries her in eleven days. So far, so good, it leads to her transformation, to First Lady, whirlwind handbag diplomacy and extravagant disco-fuelled lifestyle but, as often happens, power corrupts and her plaintive but Why Don’t You Love Me is met with a popular revolution.
Natalie Mendoza as Imelda gives a stunning performance along with Gia Macuja Atchison as Estrella, Mark Bautista as Ferdinand Marcos and Dean John-Wilson as Ninoy Aquino. Li Tong Hsu breaks your heart as Ninoy’s mother singing a tribute to her fallen son. The cast, including DJ master of ceremonies, keep the energy level high and the audience pumped. The show in real life sounds much better than the concept album of a few years back. You can hear Talking Heads in there somewhere, delivering hit after original hit – and very catchy! The setting is disco with a gigantic mirror ball – there are no seats in the stalls. You dance.
Fingers crossed for a West End transfer with this cast – they deserve it – and I’d love to see it again – just so I can be dancin’ together with champagne on ice.
Here Lies Love is now Sold Out – but extra £20 tickets are released every Friday at 12pm for the following week’s performances.
Here Lies Love is at the National until 8 January 2015
Five Stars.
Awards:
A must see if you are able to get a ticket.