Stereotypes of Black masculinity are questioned through dance in this Olivier Award-winning show

From award winning dance artist and cultural innovator Ivan Michael Blackstock comes the return of TRAPLORD, a dance performance meditating on life, death and rebirth.

Winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production, TRAPLORD played to sell-out crowds at 180 Studios, and now comes to Sadler’s Wells East. Wandering between dreams and reality, join us on a new heroic journey to self-actualisation.

Using dance, theatre and spoken word to explore raw and confrontational themes of mental health and masculinity, TRAPLORD is an invitation to question the stereotyping of Black men in contemporary western society; an attempt to escape from the mental state of being condemned before having lived.

Within this production are artistic choices and truthful narratives that pursue authentic lived experiences including physical and mental trauma, and may include images which depict abuse. TRAPLORD aims to inspire a healing process in both our performers and audience members. Thank you for coming with us on this journey.

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Ivan Michael Blackstock presents TRAPLORD, A Sadler’s Wells, 180 Studios, Factory International, Manchester and ALTRUVIOLET Co-production

Header image description: A hooded figure is crouched in the centre, surrounded by pieces of metal that look like a car or motorbike crash. The floor has red lines that are lit up. The image has a blurry quality.

Header image © Furmaan Ahmed