They were the New Romantic heart-throbs who went shoulder-pad to shoulder-pad against each other in the 1980s. And now Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet are vying for supremacy once more – not in the pop charts this time but on the West End stage. Both groups are bringing their stories to the theatre in rival shows, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of To Cut A Long Story Short, their first chart entry, Spandau Ballet are putting together a jukebox musical with many of their hit songs.
Meanwhile, Duran Duran, who have sold 100 million records globally, have recently completed the first draft of a stage musical which they hope will go to the West End next year. It has been written by band members Nick Rhodes, 56, and Roger Taylor, 58, who have been working on it between touring commitments. A source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘They have been working on this script for a while, and the first draft was finished last month. ‘Now it’s all systems go to get it out there and into the theatre. It’s all new material this time, a bit more up to date and very arty.’ It is understood that both bands are also looking to eventually take their shows to Broadway.
Duran Duran toured there earlier this year, while Spandau Ballet completed an eight-date comeback tour in America in 2015.