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Scottish musician Ian Cape has held the percussion chair at Les Miserablés (the world’s longest running musical) in London’s West End since June 2011, following a record-breaking tour with the re-orchestrated 25th Anniversary production of the show.

Born in Edinburgh, Ian started his musical life by tapping on the pews in his local church. After years of pestering his long-suffering parents, he began studying drum kit aged 9, playing with several rock bands shortly thereafter. Percussion lessons with Pam Dow at the Junior Department of the then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama culminated in a bursary to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Whilst studying, Ian began a varied freelance career playing across a smorgasbord of genres and styles. Classical work includes the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Concert Orchestra, Rambert Ballet, Aurora and the Hallé. Commercial work includes Queen guitarist Brian May, singers Alison Moyet and Lemar, the pits of London's glittering West End and of numerous touring productions, and shaking/hitting/scraping things for assorted films/adverts/video games/TV projects.

His musical endeavours have resulted in many interesting experiences including playing aeroplane engines in Bologna, tom-toms (instead of timps) in Damascus, and the vacuum cleaner, dressed as a budding housewife. Ian was also the percussionist for Christian Forshaw's Sanctuary project for many years. Highlights of 2022 include the Sondheim Old Friends Gala, an all-star event that included the talents of Bonnie Langford, Julia Mackenzie, Hannah Waddingham, Dame Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Damian Lewis, Petula Clark amongst many others. The performance was shown on BBC and is set for release across all platforms in 2023.

Ian has released a line of signature mallets, in collaboration with Acoustic Percussion, with the music theatre/contemporary/studio percussionist in mind. He is also endorsed by both Vater Percussion and Aquarian Drumheads.

In his spare time, Ian enjoys hiking, climbing, learning Swedish and cooking. He is married to timpanist/percussionist Erika Öhman, and splits his time between London and Cheshire.


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