The Gogmagogs

the gogmagogs was founded in 1995 by the theatre director Lucy Bailey and violinist Nell Catchpole through their common desire to release the physical expression of the classical musician. The company’s work has since received huge acclaim for its combination of virtuoso string playing, dynamic physical movement and inventive, groundbreaking theatre. The shows, devised and directed by Lucy and performed by seven young string players, all explore different ways, from the poetic to the absurd, of involving the whole of the body and personality of the player. The company has so far created seven new shows and collaborated with 21 composers from the UK and abroad, achieving in their shows an exhilarating mix of styles, ranging from contemporary classical, to jazz, rock, Arabic improvisation, and Malagasy rhythms. the gogmagogs are the pioneers of this form. There is no other group working in this way. Their shows have played to packed audiences at the ICA, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Court, Lyric Hammersmith and Bridewell Theatres in London, and to venues throughout the UK, as well as touring to festivals in Sydney, Toronto, San Paolo, Singapore, South Korea, Copenhagen and New York. Collaborators include: Stephen Warbeck, John Tavener, Neil Innes, Django Bates, Errollyn Wallen, Roger Eno, Mike Westbrook, Billy Jenkins, Keith Tippett, Orlando Gough, Roddy Skeaping, Patrick Nunn, Jane Gardner, Luke Stoneham, Said Murad, Hanitra Rasoanaivo, Haukur Tomasson, Gerard McBurney, and writers Caryl Churchill, Rupert Sheldrake, Zinovy Zinik and Patrick Barlow.