Frances Ruffelle delivers a captivating high-camp performance in revival of Closer to Heaven – review
gaytimes.co.ukWe’ve been keen to check out Closer to Heaven for some time, so when this revival was announced at the cosy Turbine Theatre down by Battersea Power Station, we knew we had to be there to check it out.
For those unfamiliar, it’s a musical from 2001 with a book by Jonathan Harvey (best known for seminal gay play Beautiful Thing) and original songs by iconic queer pop duo Pet Shop Boys.
The show has spawned a spin-off sequel called Musik which we’ve actually already seen – which is a cabaret show focused on one of Closer to Heaven’s protagonists, Billie Trix – so we thought it was high time we caught the original source material.
First impressions are good: the Turbine Theatre has been reconfigured into Vic’s Nightclub, with a semi-immersive seating configuration surrounding a catwalk-style stage (if audience participation isn’t your thing, never fear, you’re welcome to opt out).