“He’s a broken man”
While we’re on the subject of The Elephant Man (see previous Derek Boshier item) it was 33 years ago last week that David Bowie triumphed on Broadway with his stunning performance in the play at The Booth Theatre.
The Broadway run was preceded by presentations in Denver and Chicago with unanimous praise heaped upon Bowie for his portrayal of John Merrick.
29 July – 3 August 1980 Denver Centre of Performing Arts
5 August 1980 – 31 August 1980 Blackstone Theatre, Chicago
23 September 1980 – 3 January 1981 The Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St, New York
Sadly, it seems there is no complete record of Bowie’s performance and so we have to rely on the bits of film that do exist and the memories of those who witnessed the play first hand.
If you can’t make out the words in the image here, scroll the picture for a larger version of the text.
Check out the superb BOWIEGOLDENYEARS for a page relating to Bowie’s time in The Elephant Man.