The forthcoming David Bowie exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert museum has already sold a staggering 47,000 tickets before it’s even open. The museum’s spokeswoman commented “It is the most pre-sale tickets that we have ever recorded for an exhibition" Sky News reports. Although Bowie himself isn’t directly involved in the exhibition, the museum’s curators have been given access to a huge array of memorabilia from the David Bowie archives.

Over 300 items will be included in the Victoria & Albert museum’s exhibition, including his stage outfits, a range of photographs, films, set designs and hand-written lyrics. Visitors can expect to see Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust bodysuits dating back to 1972 as well as being able to view his music videos such as Boys Keep Swinging. There will also be a number of more personal, items that have not been seen by the public before, such as Bowie’s sketches, diary entries and hand-written lyrics. The exhibition opens today (March 20, 2013) and runs until August 11, 2013.

There has been a recent surge in interest in the life and work of David Bowie, since he recently released a new album, with little in the way of prior warning. The surprise comeback album The Next Day has been met with a fanfare of critical acclaim and it seems that interest in the 66 year-old songwriter is enjoying a dramatic resurgence. 

David Bowie
David Bowie: Pictured here in London. An exhbition about the rock musician opens today at the Victoria & Albert museum