Testament Archives - North West End UK

Zodwa Nyoni talks about new musical Chisholm for President!

1Apr

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Zodwa Nyoni talks about new musical Chisholm for President!

Chisholm for President! is a brand-new musical inspired by the remarkable journey of the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress, and who then dared to run for the Democratic nomination for President in 1972. Playwright Zodwa Nyoni has teamed up with Leeds based rapper Testament to develop a musical that traces Shirley Chisholm’s life as the daughter of immigrants who then battled racism and misogyny to win a seat in Congress. Chisholm was known for her advocacy on behalf of women, minorities, stood with the gay community, was way ahead of her time on environmental protections, fought against child poverty and was noted for her opposition to the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Chisholm served in Congress for seven terms before passing away in 200...

Rapper Testament is back in the record shop at Leeds

11Oct

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

Rapper Testament is back in the record shop at Leeds

World record-breaking beatboxer Testament is again joining forces with Opera North as they collaborate on his genre busting piece Orpheus in the Record Shop at Leeds Playhouse. The show was first seen during a short socially distanced run at the height of the pandemic that was filmed for BBC Four’s Lights Up series. Testament will be front of stage working with members of the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North, including soloist Helen Evora. Why is it important that audiences get a chance to see this show again in the Playhouse’s biggest theatre space? Performing this show live is bananas! A classical ensemble live on stage, with beatboxing, spoken word and comedy – it’s a unique thing to be part of. I’ve been telling all my friends and family to come along because i...

Testament is back for Orpheus in the Record Shop at Leeds Playhouse

4Oct

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

NEWS

Testament is back for Orpheus in the Record Shop at Leeds Playhouse

World record-breaking beatboxer Testament brings Orpheus in the Record Shop back to Leeds Playhouse in a unique collaboration with musicians from Opera North. It was first performed as a socially distanced show at the height of the pandemic as a ground-breaking hour long piece working with featuring members of the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North, including soloist Helen Evora. Audiences join Orpheus as he plays tunes in his record shop, but after an old friend visits, strange things start to happen. Music, myth and reality collide as he goes off in search of something ancient, contemporary and hopeful. Orpheus in the Record Shop by Testament at Leeds Playhouse. Photograph Anthony Robling Testament took his inspiration from the Greek myth of Orpheus to create a chall...

28Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Testament – Via Brooklyn Theatre Co

It is doubtful that the words “thank the Lord for COVID” have been uttered many times across the last year, but without the pandemic it is unlikely that UK audiences would have been lucky enough to witness this current New York production of British Writer Tristen Bernays’ breathtaking play, TESTAMENT. The piece was originally written in 2017, but has been adapted for film by Lucy Jane Atkinson, and is presented online by US theatre company Via Brooklyn. TESTAMENT is a powerhouse production of biblical proportions and truly testament to how the world may have adapted to life living in a lockdown, but how humanity has remained unchanged for thousands of years. It shows us just 4 individuals and a therapist on a stage. Simple enough as a concept, but it examines deeply the basic human ne...

Orpheus In the Record Shop wins BBC Lights Up slot

12Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Orpheus In the Record Shop wins BBC Lights Up slot

Leeds Playhouse and Opera North’s innovative co-production of beatboxer Testament’s Orpheus in The Record Shop has won a slot in the BBC Lights up programme. Orpheus In the Record Store was originally staged at Leeds Playhouse in October 2020 as part of the Connected Voices co-production season with Opera North fusing classic and contemporary theatre on the themes of isolation, connection, resilience and reflection. Leeds-based rapper, writer and world record holding beatboxer Testament was commissioned to explore the power of the solo voice, within a communal space and the relationship between performer and audience. Testament’s beatboxing weaved round musicians from the Orchestra of Opera North that gave the Greek myth of Orpheus a contemporary Yorkshire twist. There was someth...