Interesting concept. IMHO this kind of thing needs to be more up close and personal. B&W needs lots of shades and textures and you get those moving in closer with people. The shot you have above I'd crop in a bit, like this.
I agree about up close. It is not about getting personal here, because you do not see their faces anyway.
But at least you can get more depth to the image by having someone closer to you on the forefront.
Ultimately mmaria is right.