Pet Texts

We are so sad to hear that Dave Ball, the keyboard genius of Soft Cell, has died. He was an electronic pop pioneer and with Marc Almond made a unique catalogue of songs, completely original in sound and content. Our love and condolences go to Marc and all those close to Dave. Neil and Chris xx  Photo: David Chambers

“Musik”, the Jonathan Harvey/PSB cabaret show starring Frances Barber, is getting great reviews. See links below. The show continues until the end of the week at the historic Wilton’s Music Hall in London.

He’s 66 today. Happy Birthday, Chris!

Photo: Tate Modern

“Musik” by Jonathan Harvey with songs by Pet Shop Boys, starring Frances Barber as Billie Trix and directed by Terry Johnson, is opening soon at Wilton’s Music Hall in London! The first night is on Tuesday, October 14^th and it runs until October 25^th. Tickets are selling fast — check out the link below.

Pet Shop Boys’ forthcoming “Disco 5” collection of remixes and dance tracks will be available as a special limited edition orange vinyl, which is now exclusively available from the official PSB store. Link to pre-order below.

Neil was recently interviewed for “Music, Money & Mayhem”, a new BBC podcast series that chronicles the collapse of EMI Records and the struggle to save it. The first episode is now available on podcast platforms, with new episodes releasing every Monday.

Composer Sven Helbig (who PSB worked with on “The Most Incredible Thing”, “A Man from the Future” and several other projects) will present the UK premiere of his new “Requiem A” on Saturday, October 4^th, in London. Sven will be joined at Westminster Central Hall by famed opera singer René Pape, the London Contemporary Orchestra and no less than four choirs! Full details and ticket information at the link below.

A few weeks ago, during the double PSB-screening event at BFI Southbank, I joined film writer/director Paul Tickell on stage to discuss making “It Couldn’t Happen Here” and writing the score for “Battleship Potemkin”. The conversation and the Q&A that followed it are now available to watch on YouTube at the link below. Neil x

The legendary Russian superstar, Alla Pugacheva, now living in exile, has spoken out against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. If only more prominent Russians showed the same courage! Full details at the Substack link below. 

Pet Shop Boys’ remix of “How Do You Love?” is included on the CD version of The Hidden Cameras’ excellent new album, “Bronto” which is released today. Link below. 

We are delighted to learn that the distinguished theatre director and playwright, Terry Johnson, will be directing the revival of “Musik”, starring Frances Barber, which opens at Wilton’s Music Hall in London on October 14^th. More information at the links below.

Photo: The Guardian

Thanks to the BFI for hosting a double-PSB screening of “It Couldn’t Happen Here” and “Battleship Potemkin” yesterday, including a conversation between me and film writer/director Paul Tickell. The restored print of “Battleship Potemkin” is a revelation and it was nice that “It Couldn’t Happen Here” got a much warmer reception than it did from critics on its original release in 1988! BFI blu-rays of both films are available now. Neil x

Photo: JW