While the world mourned the loss of music icon David Bowie in January 2016, archivists have recently made a remarkable discovery that sheds new light on the artist’s final creative endeavors. Hidden away in Bowie’s private study, accessible only to him and his personal assistant, was an unfinished musical titled “The Spectator,” which remained unknown to most collaborators until its discovery years after his death.
The musical, set in 18th-century London, explores the city’s cultural and social landscape of that era, with particular focus on the criminal underworld. References to notorious figures such as “Honest” Jack Sheppard, a celebrated thief and prison escapee, pepper the creative materials. The title likely pays homage to the influential publication of the same name from that period, reflecting Bowie’s deep engagement with British cultural history and his fascination with historical storytelling.
Bowie’s final opus delves into 18th-century London’s underbelly, weaving historical figures into a narrative tapestry of cultural complexity.
The physical materials of “The Spectator” consist of a blue-ringed notebook and numerous Post-it notes containing character outlines, plot ideas, and dramaturgical sketches. These notes, found pinned to studio walls exactly as Bowie left them, offer unprecedented insight into his creative process, showing how he melded songwriting with theatrical narrative construction during his final years.
This late-career project aligns with Bowie’s work on “Lazarus,” the musical he completed shortly before his death and premiered in 2015. The discovery demonstrates Bowie’s unwavering artistic ambition despite facing serious health challenges in his final days. The musical exemplifies how Bowie continuously evolved as an artist, much like he advised aspiring musicians to develop their personal brand identity through consistent creative exploration. Historian Bob Harris notes that the project captures the vibrant and diverse nature of London during this historical period. The project comes to light just years after Bowie released Blackstar album, which was widely interpreted as his artistic farewell.
Had Bowie completed the musical, it could have provided him with sync licensing opportunities in the lucrative realm of theatrical productions and visual media.
Beginning September 13, 2025, the Victoria and Albert Museum will publicly display these materials as part of the David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts at V&A East Storehouse in London.
The exhibition will feature “The Spectator” alongside over 90,000 items from Bowie’s estate, including costumes, instruments, set designs, and photographs. Curators emphasize the significance of this collection as a rare window into the innovative creative process of one of music’s most influential figures, further cementing Bowie’s enduring legacy in the performing arts.
