An exhibition opens at the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London, today on the theme of “Happiness”. Various famous people have donated objects which represent an idea of personal happiness. Neil Tennant has given a signed photograph of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust explaining:
“In June, 1972, I went to see David Bowie perform at the City Hall in Newcastle on his Ziggy Stardust tour. At the climactic moment of the concert when Bowie sang “Wham! Bam! Thank you ma’am!” in the song “Suffragette City”, the audience was showered with these promotional posters of Bowie as Ziggy and I grabbed one. Later my friends and I waited in a crush of fans outside the stage door. Bowie emerged and signed my poster in pencil. The late Mick Ronson, his legendary guitarist and musical arranger, signed it also. I was very happy.”
(Behind the poster is an original vinyl copy of the Ziggy Stardust album.)
The free exhibition continues until December 20th and all items are for sale in aid of the Royal Academy Schools.
Recent Pet Texts
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 on October 14th. 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
A year ago, Pet Shop Boys released a souvenir clip from their intimate show at Funny Girls club in Blackpool, in which the audience provided the vocals for “It’s a sin”. Some fans have made a video adding phone footage to PSB’s video of that performance and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.
Sandringham, Durham and Warwick: a wonderful finish to the festival season! Thanks to all Dreamworld audiences in Europe and the UK for joining us on tour this summer. Pet Shop Boys are continuing their Greatest Hits Tour in Japan in January 2026.
Photo: Adam Kennedy
We had a fantastic show at Warwick Castle last night, the last of the summer tour. We’re so lucky to tour with these wonderful people! And we’ll be getting back together in Japan in January. Thanks to everyone who came to one (or more) of our concerts this year. And of course thanks to our crew. Neil & Chris xx
Photo: Chris Heath
“Battleship Potemkin” with music by Pet Shop Boys opens in selected cinemas in the UK and Ireland for the first time today. To mark its centenary, Sergei Eisenstein’s legendary silent film was restored by Deutsche Kinemathek. A full list of UK cinema dates is available on the BFI website at the link below.
Nice review in The Times newspaper for “Battleship Potemkin” and the PSB score. The film is showing in selected UK cinemas from today.