Pet Shop Boys musical 'MUSIK' announced, including four brand new songs

17 April 2019, 16:56

Pet Shop Boys announce musical with four new songs
Pet Shop Boys announce musical with four new songs. Picture: Pelle Crépin

By Giorgina Ramazzotti

Pet Shop Boys are set to premier four new songs written for stage musical ‘MUSIK’ featuring West End legend and 'Doctor Who' star Frances Barber.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have teamed up with writer Jonathan Harvey to bring the musical to life and have written four new songs especially for the show.

The 50-minute one-woman performance will star multi-award-winning actress Frances Barber, who will be reprising her character of Billie Trix from the Pet Shop Boys' 2001 musical Closer To Heaven.

'MUSIK' is coming to the Edinburgh Festival in August 2019
'MUSIK' is coming to the Edinburgh Festival in August 2019. Picture: Magnus Hastings

'MUSIK' will premier on August 5 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and runs until August 24 at Assembly Rooms, with tickets going on sale tomorrow (April 18).

Pet Shop Boys said: “When we wrote ‘Closer to Heaven’ almost 20 years ago, we loved the compelling outrageousness of the character Bille Trix as written by Jonathan and performed by Frances Barber.

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"We have all 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.

The Brit Awards 2009 - Show
The Brit Awards 2009 - Show. Picture: Getty

"We’re thrilled that this show is finally happening,” they said.

Writer Jonathan Harvey added: “It has been such a treat reconnecting and working with Chris and Neil on this, 20 years after our first foray into musical theatre writing.

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"In MUSIK, Billie, dried up, drug-addled icon and rock star, tells us about her life and sings her biggest hits. I can’t wait to see Frances Barber inhabit her again as she did so hilariously and so touchingly all those years ago.”

The musical features six Pet Shop Boys hits - including the four new tracks - and is bound to be a hit with fans of the band.

Pet Shop Boys have sold more than 50 million records worldwide. 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 a Brit Award for Outstanding in 2009.

'MUSIK' will be playing each night at Assembly Rooms (Bijou Venue) 54 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2LR at 9.40pm.