Casting announced for Closer to Heaven at Union Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Closer to Heaven, the musical by Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys, which returns to the Union Theatre following its sell-out run in April this year.

The cast features Alex Lodge (Titanic, Saturday Night Fever) as Straight Dave, Molly McGuire (Carrie: The Musical) as Shell, Jonathan David Dudley (Joseph, Les Misérables film) as Mile End Lee, David Habbin (Les Misérables, West Side Story) as Vic and Nic Kyle (The Grand Tour) as Bob.

Reprising their roles from the previous run at the Union Theatre are Katie Meller (Phantom of the Opera, Blood Brothers) as Billie Trix and Ben Kavanagh as Flynn. The cast also includes Tilly Ford, Daniel James Greenway, Keira Marner, Ellie Mitchell, Anthony Starr and Philip Towne.

The show, which is set against the backdrop of Soho's clubland, is directed by Gene David Kirk, featuring a book by playwright Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing) and original music and lyrics by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of Pet Shop Boys.

It centres on a young dancer, Dave, who is offered a bar job at a London nightclub, where he quickly becomes part of an unconventional family including Billie Trix (originally played by Frances Barber), a fading 60s rocker and mother figure to the club's habitués.

The Union production features choreography by Philip Joel, musical direction by Patrick Stockbridge and design by David Shields. Casting is by Adam Braham.

The production originally premiered at the Arts Theatre in 2001, and features an original club score by the Pet Shop Boys. It received its first London revival at the Union Theatre in April 2015.

Closer to Heaven plays at the Union Theatre from Wednesday 21 October to Saturday 28 November 2015.