Kurt Cobain‘s life has been dramatized by various documentaries and biopics, both official and unofficial. Cobain’s estate might mostly overlook those unauthorized projects, but when the Royal Opera House staged a Cobain-inspired show, the late musician’s team couldn’t ignore it. As Daily Mail reported, Cobain’s estate is furious about the production.
The movie, ‘Last Days,’ directed by Gus Van Sant, arrived in 2005. The film was based on the last hours of the Nirvana frontman as he escaped rehab in L.A. and traveled back to Seattle. It was a story of Cobain’s struggle with life as he spent his final hours at his house, recalling old memories.
Royal Opera House’s production was based on Van Sant’s film, but they changed Kurt’s name to Blake. The production’s synopsis disclosed that it was a haunting premiere based on the well-known self-destruction story. Like Kurt Cobain, the main character Blake escapes a treatment center to return home.
On his way to self-destruction, however, Blake gets distracted by various objects, old memories, and visitors. The synopsis emphasized that the production was inspired by Gus Van Sant’s movie, ‘Last Days,’ as it retold Cobain’s struggle with depression and substance addiction.
Royal Opera House’s synopsis for the production revealed:
“Based on the film ‘Last Days,’ this haunting world premiere brings a modern tale of self-destruction to the opera stage.
Blake, a musician, has recently escaped rehab to return home; but he is haunted by objects, visitors, and memories distracting him from his true purpose – self-destruction.
Adapted from Gus Van Sant’s 2005 film based on the final days of Kurt Cobain, this new opera plunges into the torment that created a modern myth.”
However, Kurt Cobain’s estate was reportedly not pleased with the opera. The estate of the late rocker stated that they didn’t give any permission for the adaptation. So, the Royal Opera House’s production was unofficial, and it was a poor attempt to profit and benefit from a brief meeting that had happened thirty years ago.
The musician’s estate stated the following on the Royal Opera House’s production:
“This show has been created and written without the permission or input of the Cobain estate. Sadly, it is an unauthorized attempt that seeks to profit and benefit from a brief meeting that took place thirty years ago.”
It was reported that a spokesperson for the Royal Opera House had disclosed that Gus Van Sant had given his permission for the opera to be inspired by his movie. So, it seems like the Opera House will not take a step back from producing the play. Cobain’s estate, however, is disturbed by this situation.
