Billie Trix is back!
Critically acclaimed MUSIK
by Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys
starring Frances Barber
returns to London!
Wilton’s Music Hall
14th – 25th October
Six years after its sold out critically acclaimed world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe and London transfer, outrageous MUSIK by writer Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe is to return to London.
Billie Trix. Icon. Rock star. Screen goddess. Hedonist. Billie has lived a life of excess and shares it all in her one-woman show. Her journey takes us from post-war Berlin to the rock arenas of the world, via the Vietnam war, Andy Warhol’s Factory, and 10 years living in a Soho Square phone box.
A 60-minute, one-woman cabaret starring multi-award-winning actress Frances Barber reprising the role of Billie Trix she first created in the 2001 West End musical, Closer to Heaven, MUSIK will run at Wilton’s Music Hall from 14th – 25th October.
Frances Barber said:
“Of all the characters I’ve ever played, Billie Trix is the closest to my heart. A woman of a certain age (even she doesn’t know) who has lived a life that may or may not be entirely accurate, but what a ride! And she’s still here! Billie was born from the brilliant imagination of Jonathan Harvey & PSB in Closer To Heaven over 20 years ago . When we embarked on her solo adventures PSB wrote six new songs for each chapter of her extraordinary experiences, woven into the magical narrative of Jonathan. She’s delusional, outrageous, accidentally hilarious and beyond loveable. I’m thrilled my journey with her is coming back.”
Jonathan Harvey said:
“It was such a treat reconnecting and working with Chris and Neil on this, over 20 years after our first foray into musical theatre writing. In MUSIK Billie, dried up, drug addled icon and rock star performs her self-penned self-directed one person art house extravaganza about her life, loves, and – amazingly – how she was present at every important moment in recent – and not so recent – world history. Is she telling the truth? Can she still nail a number after 10 lines of cocaine? Come and decide for yourselves!”
Pet Shop Boys said:
“When we wrote Closer to Heaven over 20 years ago, we loved the compelling outrageousness of the character Billie Trix as written by Jonathan and performed by Frances. We discussed for many years the idea of creating her own one-woman show which would give us the chance to write more songs for her as she looks back on her incredible career. It was thrilling when this show became a sold-out reality in Edinburgh a few years ago and we are delighted that it is returning to London in such a beautiful and historic venue. Frances Barber’s astonishing performance is not to be missed!”
Frances Barber
Frances Barber is an award-winning star of stage, screen and TV. Her extensive credits include the films Prick Up Your Ears, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, Trick or Treat, King Lear, Hamlet and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. Her numerous TV credits include Silk, The Street, Beautiful People, guest starring episodes of Doctor Who as Madame Kovarian, Chelsea Detective and three seasons of Whitstable Pearl. Frances won WhatsonStage Best Actress in a Musical for Closer to Heaven and An Offie Award for Best Actress for MUSIK.
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and are listed as the most successful duo in UK music history by The Guinness Book of Records. Since 1985 they have achieved 42 Top 30 singles, 22 of them Top 10 hits in the UK Singles Chart, including four UK number ones and at the 2009 Brit Awards, they received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. They have also written a score for the classic silent film, Battleship Potemkin, a ballet, The Most Incredible Thing, and performed at the BBC Proms their musical work inspired by Alan Turing, A Man From The Future.
Jonathan Harvey
Jonathan Harvey is an acclaimed playwright, novelist and TV writer whose work has earned many awards. His plays include Beautiful Thing, for which he won the prestigious John Whiting Award and Babies (National Theatre Studio/Royal Court Theatre), winner George Devine Award and Evening Standard’s Most Promising Playwright Award. On TV he wrote the cult comedy series Gimme Gimme Gimme, starring Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus, Beautiful People and is a regular script writer on Coronation Street.
LISTINGS INFO
MUSIK
by Jonathan Harvey
& Pet Shop Boys
Songs by Pet Shop Boys
Starring Frances Barber
Wilton’s Music Hall
Graces Alley,
London E1 8JB
Tuesday 14 – Saturday 25 October
Tuesday – Saturday at 7 30pm
Saturday at 2.30pm
Running time:
60 mins (no interval)
Venue Website
https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/musik/
Box Office: 020 7702 2789
Tickets: from £12.50
Age recommendation
16+
Social media
Twitter:
@petshopboys
@cahootstc
Facebook:
petshopboys
cahootstheatreco