A Drum ‘n’ Bass Musical Podcast About Eating Disorders – Released on all social platforms on Sunday 19 April 2020 at 12pm Headline: Drumstick & Bass: world’s first smartphone musical podcast tackles rising eating disorders among teens and young adults. At a time when young people in lockdown may be increasingly susceptible to anxiety that fuels eating disorders, a new online comedy musical has been launched to help those affective or at risk, talk about the problem.
Cassie and Corey is a drum ‘n’ bass musical podcast, available on smartphones, may prove to be an effective way to stimulate engagement and dialogue – a crucial first step to finding solutions. Eating Disorders often go hand in hand with negative body image, and for young people, negative body image is an open door to anxiety and depression. According to research, early awareness results in swifter treatment and a better long-term outcomes.
Dr Simon Chapman, Consultant in Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Department of Child Health, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust says:
“The last 50 years have seen a sharp increase in obesity, often amongst the most deprived in society, with a parallel rise in distress and unhappiness. Obesity is not thought of as an eating disorder, but having obesity influences the physical and emotional wellbeing of those who experience it, and fear of it fuels anxiety in others for whom body weight and shape already dominate their thoughts. Eating disorders (of which there are several types) collectively affect up to 8% of the UK population at any one time. Although the incidence of anorexia nervosa has not changed much over time, other types of eating disorder (bulimia and binge-eating disorder in particular) have risen sharply. All eating disorders can have consequences for your health. If you think you might have an eating disorder, or have worries or anxieties about your eating, weight or shape, seeking help early (through your GP or CAMHS if you are under 18y) can prevent it developing into a bigger problem).”
The project has been funded by ACE (Arts Council England) in response to the unprecedented mental health crisis among teens and young adults. BBC award-winner Christopher Hogg collaborated with South London all-girl Drum’n’Bass crew Girls Take Action (GTA) to create an utterly original piece of new writing for smartphones.
Synopsis
It’s the night before his gastric-band operation and Corey is terrified. He’s 16 years old, weighs 300 pounds and has a BMI of 60*. However, if Corey doesn’t have the operation, his hypertension will literally make him blind. None of this stops him from stealing, in the dead of night, an electric motor-scooter from the hospital. He picks up his best friend Cassie, a recovering anorexic. Like Corey, Cassie has found solace in the jungle beats and liquid rhythms of D’n’B and they toast together all. the. time. Thing is, Corey has a plan. Eight miles away is the Brit School and the next morning, they’re holding auditions. Corey and Cassie are going to apply, get in — and change their lives forever.
What happens next is a musical journey through the night and the streets of south London. A night where they kidnap a Metro Express security guard, destroy an anti-teenage loitering device, have a mystical experience in an allotment and finally understand the true meaning of food. Will they get in to the Brit school and get to live their dreams? You’ll have to follow them to find out. * A healthy BMI for a Young Adults is 25.
Jem Girl at the Piano 