The Americas



David Bowie, who is writing a stage show based on his 1976 science-fiction film The Man Who Fell To Earth.

David Bowie, who is writing a stage show based on his 1976 science-fiction film The Man Who Fell To Earth. Image by Yui Mok/PA Wire

David Bowie is writing a stage show based on his 1976 science-fiction film The Man Who Fell To Earth.

A spokesman for the star confirmed a report in The New York Times that Bowie is working with Irish playwright Enda Walsh, who won a Tony Award for Once, on the show.

Bowie will not appear on stage, but is writing new songs for the show which will focus on Thomas Newton – the character he played in the film.

James C Nicola, the artistic director of the New York Theatre Workshop, said the show had been in secret development for some years.

He told The New York Times: “It’s going to be a play with characters and songs – I’m calling it music theatre, but I don’t really know what it’s going to be like, I just have incredible trust in their creative vision.”

Bowie stunned his fans two yeas ago when he made a surprise comeback and suddenly released a new single on his 66th birthday with an album out just weeks later after 10 years of silence.

The star has made a habit of confounding the critics – killing off his Ziggy Stardust persona at the height of his fame – and reinventing himself in roles including glam rocker, soul singer and hippie songwriter.

His role in The Man Who Fell To Earth played on his alien alter-ego and made the film, directed by Nicolas Roeg, a cult classic.

(Press Association)