Here Lies Love: David Byrne's Reference Libary

Explore David Byrne’s large collection of research and discover the history that inspired Here Lies Love. Includes a screening of the documentary Imelda and Me.

David Byrne’s Reference Library
In his preparation for Here Lies Love, David Byrne amassed a treasury of reference material about Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, and the culture in which they lived and ruled. It has been used extensively by the acting company during rehearsals for the National Theatre production.

Accounts of Marcos’ dictatorship, poetry, historical books on institutional terrorism, the state architecture under the Marcos’ rule and more, shed light on how David Byrne researched Here Lies Love and contributed rich source material for the scenes and songs.

Imelda and Me
During the Marcos' "conjugal dictatorship", journalist Carmen Navarro Pedrosa wrote an unauthorised biography revealing the true origins of Imelda Marcos' humble upbringing. Carmen and her family were forced to flee the country just before martial law was declared in 1972. In this documentary Carmen’s daughter, Veronica Pedrosa looks at how her family, along with other dissidents, worked to overthrow the Marcos regime – taking us up to the present day with a recent interview with Imelda. (45 mins)


David Byrne’s Reference Library is on loan to the NT Archive for the duration of the show and is available to view at this event or by appointment.