The music of The Vanishing Act is more than just a backdrop – it’s a key part of the story, helping to bring the insect world to life and highlight the urgency of protecting it. Composer and musician Jeremy Bradfield has created songs that capture the energy and personality of the insect characters while reflecting the show’s focus on their struggles and importance in the natural world.
Jeremy describes his role as not just composing but working closely with the entire team. “I’ve collaborated with Hotspur Primary and Christ Church CE Primary Schools, Vivek Nityananda from Newcastle University, and the creative team to create the lyrics and music. It’s been a shared effort.” This collaborative process shaped the show’s songs, each with its own style to reflect the personalities of its three insect characters.
“The show has a cabaret feel,” Jeremy explains. “That suggested an old-school jazz sound, but as the music developed, it ended up going in different directions. Each insect inspired its own musical style. One song has a pop feel, another is funky and disco-inspired, and there’s also a classic cabaret number. It’s been great fun exploring these different styles to match the characters and their stories.”
At the heart of Jeremy’s process was balancing the show’s scientific themes with storytelling. “We wanted to include a lot of facts about insects – their behaviour, their importance – but it also needed to be fun and easy to follow,” he says. The challenge was turning complex ideas and packaging them in a way that was emotional, engaging and unforgettable.
This collaboration extended to the students of Hotspur Primary School, whose ideas helped shape the music. “The kids were amazing,” Jeremy recalls. “We worked together to create lyrics for the song ‘We Did It First’, which is about how insects have been doing incredible things – things humans might think are unique – long before us.” The song started as a playful battle between insects and humans, but Jeremy worked to ensure it felt celebratory rather than combative. “We even recorded the kids’ voices for the backing track, so their ideas are part of the final music.”
Jeremy also worked hard to capture the insects’ sounds and movements in his compositions. For example, ‘Now You See Me, Now You Don’t’ has a funky, rhythmic style that echoes the sleek and elusive nature of its subject, while ‘Just As Good As You’ uses a more traditional cabaret sound to reflect the storytelling element of the show. “Each song has its own mood and character, which helps bring the insects to life”, he says.
For Jeremy, the project has been as much about learning as creating. “I’ve discovered so much about insects – their behaviour, their role in the ecosystem, and the challenges they face. It’s been fascinating to work through all that information and bring it into the music.” He hopes audiences will leave the show feeling both entertained and informed. “I want people to feel like they’ve learned something important, but in a way that’s stayed with them because it’s wrapped up in a great story and music.”
As The Vanishing Act prepares for its performance at Northern Stage, Jeremy is keen to see the audience’s reaction. “Music has a way of connecting emotions, ideas, and characters that words alone can’t. I hope people will feel the joy, the urgency, and the wonder of this story – and maybe leave with a new appreciation for the amazing world of insects.”
