ED2015 2/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

Blake Remixed (West Yorkshire Playhouse)

By Robert Stevens | Published on Tuesday 25 August 2015

‘Blake Remixed’ starts off as you’d expect for a show with a beatboxer and live DJ – after making some noise we confirmed our readiness, and then confirmed it again. But ‘Blake Remixed’ isn’t your average hip-hop show: rapper Testament, inspired by William Blake, was told to rap by God. Consequently, the impressive beatboxing skills and innovative visuals are awkwardly slotted in alongside a proud and preachy plot. Although a lot of the egotism is intentional, I could never shake off the feeling that Testament felt he was humbling himself by performing to us. The whole show felt self-indulgent, like therapy: he talked the audience through his vices and virtues then, right at the end, he cried.

Underbelly, Cowgate, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 2/5 | [Robert Stevens]