Ray Davies' Musical To Hit London Stage in September

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: musicals are simply uncool. Grandma may not know it. The people who somehow actually liked Across the Universe may not know it. Thankfully, though, David Bowie sure does. And if we need to choose a judge of cool, we’ll have to go with Bowie, ”Magic Dance” or not.

Whether we think musicals are actually cool or not it seems Ray Davies digs ’em, with the Kinks songwriter reportedly gearing up to release a stage production based on one of the band’s biggest hits, "Come Dancing.”

According to a report by Rolling Stone, the 64-year-old Davies has written about 20 new songs for the musical, called Come Dancing, which is set in a '50s London dance hall. The production, directed by Kerry Michael, is set to start its six-week run at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East on September 13 before closing October 25. And rumour has it Davies will serve as the show’s narrator during the opening run.

Now, if you Kinks fans are worried this production will drag sacred songs like "Waterloo Sunset,” "This Time Tomorrow” and "David Watts” into the mud, the only Kinks song actually included in the musical is "Come Dancing,” so breathe easy.

Also, in related news, apparently Davies isn’t the only one heading to the stage. U2’s Bono and the Edge are supposedly fast at work on two musicals: one called Fela!, which will be based on the life of Afrobeat innovator and weed-smokin’ polygamist Fela Kuti (who will likely soon be rolling in his grave over this), and another that’s — prepare yourself — a Spider-man musical. God please help us.

The Kinks "Come Dancing”