WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: now
It would be fair to say we were surprised that sophomore Years & Years album Palo Santo was released last year without this track.
By Neil Pugmire
WHERE? Hyde Park (press ticket)
WHEN? 15/9/19
If you had to choose the perfect headliners for a Radio 2 festival, it might be the Pet Shop Boys. Famous for matching intelligent lyrics with irresistible synth-pop hooks, and with a 30-year back catalogue to plunder, they could easily entertain thousands of 30 to 50-somethings gathered in Hyde Park on a balmy Sunday evening.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE? Leicester Square Theatre RUNTIME: 60 minutes
WHEN? 7/9/19, closes 7/9/19
STOP PRESS: MUSIK returns to the Leicester Square Theatre 5/2 – 1/3/20. Tickets
‘About me, the critics lied. I ignored them – and survived,’ sang character Billie Trix in song Friendly Fire (see below) played by Frances Barber in ahead-of-its-time 2001 Pet Shop Boys’ musical Closer To Heaven.
Billie Trix was the most compelling character from Pet Shop Boys musical Closer To Heaven and author Jonathan Harvey has brought the star played by Frances Barber back for an hour-long show with new songs by the duo. For Every Moment was our Song Of The Month for August. An Edinburgh Festival hit, MUSIK takes its bow at the Leicester Square Theatre 3-7/9. Tickets Pet Shop Boys also play Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park 15/9 Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
OUT: now
This is the stand-out tune from the 6-song cabaret MUSIK starring character Billie Trix played by Frances Barber from 2001 Pet Shop Boys musical Closer To Heaven.
Author Phoebe Waller-Bridge won our 2016 Best TV/Film actress monsta for her work on the 1st TV series (5 reasons to watch here) of this show and the original play on which it is based comes to the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre 20/8 through 14/9/19. Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? Above The Stag RUNTIME: 130 minutes (with 20 minute interval)
WHEN? 7/7, opens 10/7 runs to 31/8/19
STOP PRESS: Tickets for MUSIK’s London run in September go on sale at 10am 29/7/19 here.
We saw the original production of this musical in 2001 and authors Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys have written a follow up of sorts featuring lead character Billie Trix which premieres at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Olivier winners D. Clarke and Clive Rowe take part in this compilation of 26 hot and torchy blues numbers that frame the lives and loves of four residents of a downtown hotel. Runs 18/7 to 7/9/19 at the Kiln Theatre. Tickets
Imelda Staunton made our Best Theatre Actress of 2017 shortlist so far for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and stars here at the National with Tracie Bennett and Janie Dee in the Sondheim classic (which features Losing My Mind, see below). Runs 22/8 through 3/1/18. Picture courtesy National Theatre. Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
OUT: now
TRACKLIST: The Reunion; Something New; Magpie Eyes; Whyteleafe; Dive; Church Pew Furniture Restorer; Take It All In; Popmaster; Underneath The Apple Tree; Out Of My Mind; After Hebden; Breakneck Hill; Heather; Sports Report; Train Drivers In Eyeliner; Unopened Fanmail; What Kind Of World; Sweet Arcadia; Angel Of Woodhatch
Saint Etienne are now out on tour, we’ve had a look at a recent setlist and are disappointed that only five songs from this impressive collection made it to their current live shows.
