06 September 2025
Newsdesk
The celebrated musical MUSIK, from writer Jonathan Harvey and pop legends Pet Shop Boys, is set to make its triumphant return to London's historic Wilton's Music Hall this October, with the announcement that acclaimed director Terry Johnson will be leading the new production.
Johnson, a recipient of a dozen major theatre awards, including a Tony Award for his direction of La Cage Aux Folles, expressed his delight at joining the project. He praised the show as a "funny, tuneful, eccentric and startling joy-ride," and shared his excitement at seeing Frances Barber—the star of the one-woman show—perform in such an iconic venue.
Barber reprises her role as the outrageously charismatic Billie Trix, a character she first created over 20 years ago in the West End musical Closer to Heaven. Billie Trix is a self-proclaimed icon and rock star who takes audiences on a wild, often-unreliable journey through her life of excess, from post-war Berlin to encounters with Andy Warhol.
The 60-minute cabaret is a testament to the enduring collaboration between Harvey and the Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. They originally conceived the character of Billie Trix and wrote six new songs for her solo show, which had a sold-out premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Both Harvey and Barber expressed their excitement about bringing the beloved character back to the stage. As Barber noted, "Of all the characters I’ve ever played, Billie Trix is the closest to my heart...She’s delusional, outrageous, accidentally hilarious and beyond loveable."
MUSIK will run from October 14-25 at Wilton's Music Hall, with a press night on October 17.
