Smash Hits returns for one-off issue

A one-off special issue of iconic pop music magazine Smash Hits has been published in partnership with the West End launch of new musical & Juliet, which features the music of Swedish songwriter and producer Max Martin.

Published by Bauer Media and printed by Precision Colour Printing, 50,000 copies of the free 12pp mini magazine are being distributed at select central London Underground stations today (4 November).

The special issue includes classic Smash Hits features, including a ‘5 minutes with’ interview with *NSYNC, a chat with Adam Lambert and Britney Spears trivia. Also featured is a poster, a wordsearch and song lyrics for ‘I Kissed A Girl’ by Katy Perry and ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’ by Backstreet Boys.

Additionally, the issue will include a feature on Martin, whose songs for artists including Spears and Perry as well as Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Robyn and Ellie Goulding appear in the show.

The story of & Juliet focuses on what might have happened if Juliet hadn't killed herself at the end of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The show is making its London debut at the Shaftesbury Theatre this month, having played at the Manchester Opera House in September and October.

Bauer Media Advertising group managing director Abby Carvosso said: “Magazines have the power to deliver high-quality attention at exceptional value for advertisers and what better way to capture attention than bringing the iconic Smash Hits back for a one-off special.

“This unique partnership has seen us connect with pop fanatics through the pioneering voice in pop culture to drive audiences to & Juliet.”

Smash Hits was originally published by Emap and ran from 1978 to 2006. It launched the career of many journalists, including Radio Times editor Mark Frith, while singer Neil Tennant had also worked as an assistant editor in the early 1980s, prior to finding fame with Pet Shop Boys.