Pete Doherty and Carl Barat to begin writing musical

Babyshambles’ Pete Doherty and Dirty Pretty Things’ Carl Barat – formerly bandmates in The Libertines – will begin writing a musical together next week (March 10), for a new show scheduled to begin in early 2009.

Barat told NME.COM last November that he had been approached about writing a musical with Doherty. He has since explained to the Sunday Mirror that he and his old pal have since been commissioned by London’s Donmar Warehouse theatre, based in Covent Garden, to work on the project.

“A producer from the theatre approached me through my record label,” Barat said. “So I went down there to see a play and we met up for a chat. He asked me if I was still in contact with Pete.

“I asked Pete and he loves the idea. He has invited me to Wiltshire [where he lives] this week to start writing it.”

Barat explained that the duo will write around 20 new songs for the musical, which will be about the drama surrounding an up-and-coming band.

He also revealed that the duo discussed reforming The Libertines, but that they both agreed it would not be a good idea to get the band back together “just yet”.