Orpheus in the Record Shop and The Beatboxer

(Paperback)

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Description

She cared for him, she understood him And now shes gone. Two new plays from acclaimed rapper and playwright Testament (Black Men Walking). Orpheus in the Record Shop Orpheus is alone, playing tunes in his record shop. After a visitor leaves him an unexpected gift strange things start to happen and music, myth and reality collide. Together with Orpheus we go in search of something ancient, contemporary and hopeful. The Beatboxer A beatboxer goes into a call centre to run a training day. But the bosses have ulterior motives for him being there. Testament takes inspiration from the classical Greek myth of Orpheus, in a show that fuses spoken word and beatboxing with the musicians of the Orchestra of Opera North. Published alongside his radio play The Beatboxer which was shortlisted for The Imison Award, BBC Audio Drama Awards, these two plays are inspiring pieces of contemporary theatre. Orpheus in the Record Shop was broadcast as part of the #BBCLightsUp season on BBC television in 2021.

Reviews

A virtuoso display of wry humour and freewheeling musical invention a surprisingly life-asserting finale. (on Orpheus in the Record Shop) * Times *
What this rising star does with his larynx is a wonder [...] With the added force of the Opera North orchestra (brass, wind, harp, more besides), it sends pleasing shivers down the spine. (on Orpheus in the Record Shop) * Telegraph *
Testament is a force of nature * A Younger Theatre *

Author Bio

Testament is a Hip-Hop MC, writer, theatre maker and world-record-breaking human beatboxer. Born in North London and growing up in Manchester, moving onto to study in West Yorkshire where he currently resides. As a lyricist his critically acclaimed work weaves together strands of rap, song and spoken word. Testaments work includes the celebrated Hip-Hop album Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice, as well as several spoken word performances for BBC TV and BBC Radio (1xtra, Radio 4 and 6Music). In 2019 he was Channel 4 Writer in Residence at Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester.