The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

Lisa Ogun’ attended Battersea Arts Centre to experience the inspirational and talented BAC Beatbox Academy performing its family hip-hop musical, based on the well- loved folk tale Pied Piper. BAC Beatbo bitetheatre W e may all know the story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, which involves rats, music, and children. But only a few of us know about the BAC Beatbox Academy. This community youth music theatre is based at the Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) in London, established in 2008 and led by Conrad Murray with support from BAC. They help develop the artistic skill of beatboxing in the young people that at- tend and have them collaborate in theatre productions, appear in commercials, perform in professional theatre and lead community and school workshops. The unique art of beatboxing is described as a ‘form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of mimick- ing drum machines, using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice, which may also involve vocal imitation of turn- tablism and other musical instruments’. Upon hearing how amazing this can sound when advanced, no wonder there’s an academy for it. With beatboxers in a perfor- mance, there is no need for other musical influences, as the ensemble can imitate all instruments, and the acous- tics produced can blow your mind! Photography by Ali Wright