Testament

CHISHOLM FOR PRESIDENT! - a new Soul & Funk Musical

Testament has started on his first musical! Working with award-wining playwrIght Zodwa Nyoni and Director Alex Chisholm of Leeds Studio. Test has written the music and lyrics telling the inspiring story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress and to run for the nomination of the President of the United States. Testament’s composition draw on the era the show is set (1968-72) and says he’s taken inpsiration from Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Curtis Mayfield, Minine Ripperton, Isaac Hayes and Nina Simone to name a few.

So far there have been two live concert performances sharing the songs from the new musical at The SlungLow Warehouse, Leeds and at The Southbank Centre in London. and then the band performing songs from the show at Greenbelt Festival and Cross the Tracks Festival in Brixton.

So far the response has been electric and upfliting! You can read a review of the sharing here.

A full live band and extraordinary cast of singers share this new and exciting material. The bands credits include Jamiroquai, Amy Winehouse, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Basement Jaxx - the list goes on. Be among the first to see this explosion of funk and joy!

SUN 4TH FEB ‘Testament to Rose’ - RADIO 4 DOCUMENTARY

BBC Radio 4 will be broadcasting writer and rapper Testament’s first radio documenary on Sunday 4th Febraury at 4:30pm (later availlable on BBC Sounds and repeated the following Sunday at 12:30am). The programme follows Testament’s journey uncovering the mystery of the Victorian black poet Robert Rose who had an abrupt death in Manchester in 1849. Robert Rose was an activist and called himself “The Bard of Colour“, and was known by Charles Dickens, radical Samuel Bamford and inconinc Mancunian novelist Isabella Varley. Why was he in Manchester and what secrets does his life hold?

Click here to listen

CASTLEVANIA NOCTURNE DROPS 28TH SEPTEMBER ON NETFLIX!

Brand new series CASTLEVANIA: NOCTURNE is dropping soon! Testament is a writer on the vampire hunting series set this time during the height of the French Revolution. Originally based on the iconic video games from Konami, showrunners Kevin Kolde (CASTLEVANIA) and award winning writer Clive Bradley (TRAPPED), bring the next installment of the CASTLEVANIA universe. Sam Deats and Adam Deats share directing duties. Project 51 Productions and Powerhouse Animation produce for Netflix.

The show follows fan favourite vampire hunter Ricther Belmont in 1792, as he is sought out by Annette - a Haitian Revolutionary to join the fight against a terrifying Vampire Messiah who has wants to crush the revolution and enslave humanity.

The show is available to stream 28 September on NETFLIX.

Testament is taking part in BBC Contains Strong Language the UK’s largest poetry and performance festival from the 21st-24rd September 2023.

Now in its 7th year, the 2023 Festival showcases established and renowned poets such as Lemn Sissay OBE, Malika Booker, National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa and Owen Sheers; as well as giving a platform to emerging artists from Yorkshire, across the UK and beyond.

Testament is featured in several events throughout the festival including presenting POETIC JUSTICE: 50 YEARS OF HIP-HOP where he presents discussion with UK rap icon Jehst, hip-hop luminary Paul “Oddball” Edmeade and poet Michelle Scally Clarke as they consider the poetry of rap and its impact on the literary world and beyond.

For the Contains Strong Language brochure click here

Testament’s radio drama Daughter has won Special Commednation in the “Best Orginal Single Drama” at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2023.

Orginally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The drama is enirely performed by two beatboxers through and directed by Gary Brown. Testament and fellow beatboxer Grace Savage (2 x UK Champion) play all characters in the heartfelt story, with soundscapes, SFX and music are made by the performers’ voices. The piece deals with fatherhood, issues of racism, sexism and intersectionality, eventually finding light in the darkest times.

Daughter was also nominated for international award the PRIX EUROPA Best Radio Fiction of the Year 2022.

TESTAMENT PERFORMS ON SIMON SCHAMA’S THE ROMANTICS & US ON BBC TWO

By popular demand after its broadcast on BBC FOUR, Orpheus in the Record Shop returns to Leeds PLayhouse!

Acclaimed rapper and playwright Testament (Black Men Walking, The Beatboxer, WOKE) takes inspiration from the Greek myth of Orpheus, in a show that fuses spoken word and beatboxing with classical music, featuring members of the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North.

Live at Leeds Playhouse on the 13th, 14th & 15th October.

“A virtuoso display of wry humour and freewheeling musical invention .” ★★★★ The Times

“…sends pleasing shivers down the spine.” ★★★★ The Telegraph

Tickets here >> https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/orpheus-in-the-record-shop/

Orpheus in the Record Shop is being broadcast at 11pm Wednesday 21st April on BBC Four and available on BBC iPlayer. The show is written, composed and performed by Testament. The Leeds Playhouse and Opera North co-production is part of the  #BBCLightsUp season of plays.

Inspired by the Ancient Greek myth, acclaimed rapper, composer and playwright Testament (Black Men Walking, The Beatboxer, WOKE) fuses music, spoken word and beatboxing using a live cinematic score performed by members of the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North, filling Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre with Orpheus’s dreams, his reminiscences and his struggle for redemption.