Poet/vocalist Motion, supported by DJ L’Oqenz, stars in Oraltorio at the Young Centre. (Cesar Ghisilieri photo)
Written by Motion. Music by DJ L’Oqenz. Directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu. Until Oct. 20 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. Soulpepper.ca or 416-866-8666.
The static sound of a stereo antenna searching for radio waves in the air, breaking out into clear notes and then dissolving into white noise again, is a delightfully vintage one. But it’s also a blast from the past that catapults the poet and vocalist Motion and DJ L’Oqenz into their anachronistic ride through Black music history. When the two women are unable to find anything but white (mostly male) pop artists — John Mellencamp, Billy Idol, U2 — on the earth-bound waves, Oraltorio: A Theatrical Mixtape begins as they seemingly enter the static space in between the channels, guided by Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill, creating music of their own and transmitting it back to their own audiences.
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