Six years after premiering, the one-woman show MUSIK returns to Wilton’s Music Hall for a short run — here’s what the actress behind Billie Trix, Frances Barber, has to say…
How happy are you to be doing MUSIK again?
I’m deliriously happy. MUSIK was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever done in my life! Billie Trix is every single iconic woman I’ve ever loved. She’s been there, done it, and bought the T-shirt. I’m over the moon to be bringing her back to life in the historic Wilton’s Music Hall.
Will this version be different from previous incarnations?
Only the ending — and I’m not giving that away! Personally, I’m having to do pilates so I can dance again!
Who did you draw inspiration from for capturing your character, Billie Trix?
Certainly no one I know! For the musical Closer to Heaven, where Billie Trix first appeared, Jonathan Harvey looked at the lives of Marianne Faithfull, Nico, and Debbie Harry for inspiration. I love all these enormous icons who have lived and seen everything. In MUSIK, Billie claims to have lived in a phone box for 10 years. How ridiculous, you might think. But read Marianne’s autobiography, and she claims to have lived on a wall for two years! At least Jonathan gave Billie somewhere to sit.
Do you feel like there are any similarities between you and Billie?
If you’re suggesting I am a drug addict, no! But like her, I’m still here and performing, unbelievably! And she also hates being called a grandmother.
How do you approach a one-woman show like this when you’re on stage by yourself for an hour?
The show is the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done and I’ve been Lady Macbeth twice. The only time in my entire career when I “dried” (forgot what I had to say) was the very first preview at the Edinburgh Fringe because we had so little technical time before opening. I shouted “Line,” so the operator called out the line from the script, and I replied, “No, a line of cocaine!”. I got out of it, but it scared the life out of me. I’m praying it never happens again, but I’m five years older and if it does, no one will care.
The Pet Shop Boys wrote the soundtrack — what’s your favourite song of theirs?
Left to My Own Devices, because I remember being on tour in the middle of Australia in King Lear with my dear friend Ian McKellen. Something happened. Shit always happens. Everyone was upset, and all of a sudden, Left to My Own Devices came on Spotify. I put it up to full volume, danced around my hotel room and have never forgotten that. Of all the wonderful songs Neil and Chris have written, that one really resonates with me.
MUISK is on Tuesday 14th to Saturday 25th October, Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, E1 8JB, Nearest Station: Tower Gateway
For more information & tickets, click here.
