Stage: Pierrot In Turquoise, Rosehill Theatre, Moresby

David Bowie appeared in Lindsay Kemp’s mime production Pierrot In Turquoise in the early months of 1968.

The musical had opened at Oxford’s New Theatre on 28 December 1967. 5 January 1968 was the last of three consecutive nights at the Rosehill Theatre in Moresby near Whitehaven, Cumbria.

There were just three performers in Pierrot In Turquoise: Lindsay Kemp in the title role, David Bowie as Cloud, and Jack Birkett (a blind performer also known as the Great Orlando) as Harlequin. The play told the story of Pierrot’s attempts to win the love of Cloud. However, Cloud fell for Harlequin, and was killed by the jealous Pierrot.

Kemp made his entrance by descending in a white hammock that represented the moon, while David, as Cloud, flitted about him. David wore a papier-mâché mask modelled on Kemp’s face, and the Great Orlando held up the frame of a mirror so that Kemp could paint himself with moonbeams.
Alias David Bowie
Peter and Leni Gillman

Programme for Pierrot In Turquoise, Rosehill Theatre, Moresby, January 1968

The costumes were designed by Natasha Kornilof, who would work with Bowie on several occasions throughout the 1970s. Bowie became the lover of both Kemp and Kornilof during his time working on Pierrot In Turquoise.

In these early shows Bowie sang ‘When I Live My Dream’, ‘Sell Me A Coat’, and ‘Come And Buy My Toys’, accompanied on the piano by Michael Garrett.

Bowie’s complete run in Pierrot In Turquoise ran to 21 nights: 28 December 1967; 3, 4, 5 January 1968; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 March 1968; and 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 March 1968.

Last updated: 15 March 2023
Stage: Pierrot In Turquoise, Rosehill Theatre, Moresby
Travel: Whitehaven to London
Also on this day...

Want more? Visit the David Bowie history section.

Leave a Reply