SYNOPSIS – Sticks and stones may break my bones but the wrong rhymes can get you up to three years. Be nice. This longform narrative spoken word performance is inspired by Tunisian emcee, Weld-El 15 who was pursued and eventually jailed for performing his song, Boulicia Kleb (The Police Are Dogs). Through this lens, the piece touches on censorship, the solitude of self-imposed exile, civil disobedience and abuse of authority, while juxtaposing cuts from controversial tracks closer to home.
CONTRIBUTORS TO CONTENT, CONTEXT AND PROCESS – Jazz Kamal (aka Nari), Cole Alvis, Adam Booth, Daniel Thau-Eleff, Gerard Harris, Jahsun, Clare Preuss, Yvette Nolan, Pamela Gilmartin, Jivesh Parasram, Andy McKim, David Mesiha and Kern Albert.
DURATION – 45 minutes
CAST – 1
STYLE / FORM – concept set (music and spoken word/hip hop)
HISTORY – Developed through the Banff Centre’s 2015 Spoken Word Program, presented at SpringWorks Festival 2015. Developed with support from the Ontario Arts Council Word of Mouth program 2015. Premiered by Theatre Passe Muraille.
INSPIRED BY
the unjust and censorious imprisonment of Tunisian emcee Weld El 15
***In 2021, songs from Sound of the Beast were adapted for concert performance by Belladonna the Blest with support from the Ontario Arts Council’s Popular Music Program. Thanks to composer/producer David Mesiha for the best of beats.***
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