Published June 12, 2020 by Tamsin Hackett

Husband and wife duo Polly Samson and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd have teamed up to work on the audiobook of Samson’s novel A Theatre…

Husband and wife duo Polly Samson and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd have teamed up to work on the audiobook of Samson’s A Theatre for Dreamers (print publication by Bloomsbury Circus).

Gilmour’s new single “Yes I Have Ghosts”, and other original music, will be featured on the audiobook. The new song, the first from Gilmour in five years, was inspired by a character from the novel and was co-written by Samson. 

Narrated by the author and recorded in the couple’s home during lockdown, the audiobook will be published by W F Howes on 25th June 2020. 

Set on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, A Theatre for Dreamers follows an “expat bohemian community” of poets, painters and musicians. The characters live tangled lives that are ruled by their king and queen, writers Charmain Clift and George Johnston.

Samson said: “We wanted to explore the creative possibilities of the format and produce something new, refreshing and innovative. Collaborating with David — as I have done many times over the last 30 years, writing songs for both Pink Floyd and his solo albums — we were able to bring together the worlds of literature and music to enhance the listening experience and connect with audiences in a way which I don’t think has been done before. I hope the audiobook, which was recorded in our home studio, is received with the same levels of warmth and positivity as the printed version and that listeners enjoy the fruits of our creative collaboration.”

Gilmour added: “Polly’s vivid and poetic writing, coupled with her very natural narration voice, made joining forces to produce the audio version of A Theatre for Dreamers a fantastic and fulfilling experience. The audiobook format has so much untapped potential, and I am surprised more musicians have not creatively collaborated with authors, narrators, and audiobook producers in this way before. The two worlds seem to seamlessly link, and music can really help to bring audiobooks to life in unexpected new ways.”

Source