Ilan Eshkeri is an award-winning composer, artist, songwriter, producer and creator whose work features in concert, theatre, film, television and video games
Ilan Eshkeri is now set for a different kind of fantastical adventure. This Christmas will get underway with four special 10th anniversary shows of the beloved family favourite ‘The Snowman and The Snowdog’, (more details here)which will be brought to life by the film’s original composers, Ilan Eshkeri and Andy Burrows, alongside a live concert orchestra.
The perfect way to get into the festive spirit, the show will come to Birmingham Town Hall on December 17th and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on December 20th with matinee and evening performances on both days. Tickets for the show are now on general sale here. We got some time to have a quick chat about the show and more.
1. Thanks for your time Ilan. We last spoke in April, how has life been treating you since then?
It was a wonderful and inspiring summer I love the autumn with Halloween and bonfire night it’s so much fun to do these things when you have a young child and now we cannot wait for Christmas.
2. The last time we spoke was to talk about Space Station Earth but now you’re about to perform the classic Christmas story The Snowman & The Snowdog, two very different subjects. How did you get involved in this?
When the fllm makers were looking for a composer they were looking for someone who could write a classic animation score but also someone who could write contemporary songs and collaborate with an artist. There are not that many of us around and luckily I got the gig.
3. The Snowman is an iconic story, how did it feel to be approached to perform such a piece of work that still to this day resonates with so many people?
When Andy Burrows & I began on this project we were very sensitive to the idea that we were following in the footsteps of a very important part of the british Christmas and that adding to it could have been received really badly by the audience. We both grew up watching The Snowman and we acknowledged that we could never do something as good, all we could do was our own thing and hope for the best. Looking back on it 10 years later I feel like we did a pretty good job.
4. As well as The Snowman shows, your work has also appeared on two major TV shows, again two very different stories. How exciting and challenging is it to work on content for a wide range of subjects as you are doing?
I find it really inspiring to work in different styles but at the same time my work is always about telling human stories and in that way the work is actually very similar.
5. As we said, The Snowman is a classic, if you could compose the music for any of your own childhood favourites what would you choose and why?
I was a science fiction fan when I was a kid and I wish I could be a guest composer on an episode of Star Trek or an episode of Doctor Who so if any of those filmmakers are reading this please give me a call!
6. Over the past two years we’ve spoken to a number of artists about the way the pandemic forced changes to how people showcase their work. As a creative yourself, how excited are you by these changes?
In art we see times of greatest creativity as a result of change in society sometimes it can be hard to see it as its happening but as you say we have lived and our living through one of those times. I always try to embrace the new even when it can feel scary or uncomfortable, but really its about inspiration and discovery.
7. We spoke to the composer of the original music of The Snowman and asked where he would go if he was the boy in the Snowman. Can we put the same question to you?
Do you think the snowman is magical enough to fly me into space? Would love to go on a journey to the moon!
8. Looking back over 2022, it’s been a busy year for you – how would you sum it up and what have been the highlights?
Performing Space Station Earth at the Royal Albert Hall has to be the highlight not only of 2022 but perhaps of my whole career. It was a long journey to get there and it will be hard to top that.
9. Going back to Space Station Earth, you were joined by Tim Peake which must have been a real bucket list moment. If there was one thing you could cross off your bucket list in 2023, what would it be?
I would love to work on a new childrens animation that my daughter thought was cool. There is something big out there that I have got my fingers crossed about. Lets see if it happens!
10. Thanks for your time again Ilan, good luck for the rest of 2022. Just to wrap up, what can we expect from you in 2023?
I have just started writing a new ballet which will be performed in 2023 and I am currently writing a tv show with Tim Wheeler. Both things I am really excited about!
Comments are closed.