Maxine Peake to star as Nico in play about the Velvet Underground singer's 'dark side'
Actor will star in the production that will 'take you to uncomfortable places'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Maxine Peake is to star in a new stage show that portrays the "dark side" of Velvet Underground singer Nico.
The German-born singer is known as the original "femme fatale|" of art-rock in the Sixties, and appeared on the seminal 1967 album The Velvet Underground and Nico.
However, The Nico Project will focus more on the album that followed: Nico's bleak solo record The Marble Index.
Peake, known for her roles in Silk, Black Mirror and Three Girls, said she was attracted by Nico's "dark side" and wanted to know "where does that come from?"
"I remember first listening to The Marble Index in my late teens in a dark room and I felt very uneasy about it," she told the BBC.
"It takes you to uncomfortable places, but it's beautiful at the same time. And I'm just fascinated with people who allow that to really seep out of them, to express that and go to those places that most of us try to avoid."
The project is being produced by an all-female creative team led by director Sarah Frankcom. It will be staged in July at the Manchester International Festival.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments