Language Is A Virus From Outer Space

An evening inspired by the Life and Work of William S. Burroughs 1914-1997.

A world premiere of a work by Gavin Bryars and Richard Strange, Language Is A Virus From Outer Space.

The work is commissioned by The Southbank Centre and Richard Strange.

A one-off reunion performance of the seminal proto-punk band The Doctors of Madness; Audrey Riley (Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Coldplay, Icebreaker) Sarah Jane Morris (Communards, The Republic, The Happy End); Anni Hogan (Marc and the Mambas, Barry Adamson, Paul Weller); and Kate St. John (Philip Glass, Damon Albarn, Tom Waits, The Dream Academy, Van Morrison, Marianne Faithfull).

Plus:

A specially created work by the artist Gavin Turk
A sound performance sculpture by Haroon Mirza
A brand new dance solo choreographed especially for the event by award-winning choreographer Luca Silvestrini (Protein Dance)
A performance of Burroughs-related work by Jeremy Reed ('The most beautiful, outrageously brilliant poetry in the world' – Björk)
A specially commissioned piece by the novelist Rupert Thomson ('Rupert Thomson's The Insult is one of the 100 must-read books of all time' David Bowie)
A brand new musical work by David Coulter (The Pogues, Jarvis Cocker, Kronos Quartet) and Seb Rochford (Polar Bear)

Plus special guests.