Oliver Izod is a company member of string quartet Bowjangles, who present their original musical comedy Dracula in Space.
This anarchic examination of creativity versus capitalism asks the all-important question: would you sell your soul in order to sell your art?
Forget everything you think you know about string quartets: the Bowjangles company are irreverent genre-spanners that bring music, theatre and comedy together in a truly unique way. In this explosive production, the award-winning foursome are blasting into outer space to meet a mysterious bloodsucking benefactor, whose proposition seems a little too good to be true.
Dracula in Space is a love letter to classic horror films and their iconic scores, but at its heart, is camaraderie. This affectionate and hilarious production explores artistic ambition within the constraints of group dynamics. This deals with the roots of conflict and how we are affected by elitism, misogyny and class disparity, alongside navigating friendships and professional relationships – while trying to pay the bills.
More information can be found here
You’re appearing in Bowjangles: Dracula in Space, what can you tell us about the show?
Dracula in Space is a riotous retelling of the horror classic, told from the perspective of a string quartet who have blasted into space searching for well-paid corporate work because planet earth obviously just isn’t ready for their idiosyncratic blend of music, comedy and basic dance skills. On their journey they meet a mysterious benefactor who claims they can make them megastars of the classical music industry. It’s full of original music and repurposed classics. And an extremely feminist pop anthem.
Tell us a little more about Bowjangles and how the company has gotten to this point?
Bowjangles string quartet started 15 years ago as a group of street performers who realised that if you dance and make jokes then the spectators put more money in the hat. 6 shows later they’re now extremely serious theatre makers who realise that if you dance and make jokes then people will buy tickets to shows. Our last show, Excalibow, won Spirit of the Fringe in 2018, had an off-broadway run in NYC and toured China, but Dracula is our biggest and most impressive show yet.
What are you looking forward to most about bringing the show to Gilded Balloon’s Patter Hoose?
We love Gilded Balloon, they’ve always been so supportive of us, and we can’t wait to get into the Patter Hoose Doonstairs – one of the few venues in Edinburgh that is an ACTUAL performance space. We’ve been developing this show for a couple of years now and we’re so excited to get it in front of an Edinburgh audience because that’s where we know its heart is.
How would you describe the music in the show?
We’ve specifically chosen the genres of sci-fi and horror to play around with their musical forms, so as well as aforementioned feminist pop anthems we’ve built in spooky soundscapes and threatening underscores. If you’re a classical music nerd then you’ll probably also notice some Holst, Bach, Mozart and Kreisler hidden in there as well.
And what do you think will be the biggest challenge of staging the show every day?
Edinburgh is not a sprint, it’s a marathon at sprint pace. Berroca, Lucozade, adequate childcare options.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Bowjangles: Dracula in Space?
Try and forget whatever you already think you know about string quartets and prepare to be surprised at how quickly a cello can move. Also try to develop a healthy dislike for violas.
