Choreographer: Ivan Michael Blackstock
Presented as a fragmented tapestry, TRAPLORD interrogates the external forces that shape Black masculinity. Rather than delving into personal introspection, the piece offers a broader examination rooted in image, expectation and societal pressure.
From the moment the audience enters, the dark intriguing world is established. A matte black deconstructed car sits stage left, while an avatar-like figure emerges from a towering, altar-like structure, torch in hand. This initial image immediately signals the performance’s merging of the real, the surreal and the virtual. Throughout, hypnotic animations evoke the immersive feel of a video game, which is an effective motif in placing the viewer in a constant state of flux and pursuit.
Simisola Majekodunmi’s lighting design is a standout, seamlessly shifting tone and tempo. Strobe sequences are especially effective, lending moments of disorientation that heighten the dance moments on stage and underscore the tension at the work’s core.
Stylistically, TRAPLORD is eclectic. Spoken word, stand-up-style monologues, rap, and a diverse range of dance styles, including tango, breakdance and contortion, form the piece’s language. Each medium feels purposeful, telling a different story or exposing a new facet of the Black male experience. This is particularly guided by Ivan Michael Blackstock’s direction and choreography, which tie these disparate elements together with clarity and intent.
The text, when it comes, lands powerfully with phrases like ‘All I ever wanted was to be wanted’ and ‘Play your role bigger’ echoing with resonance. This is contrasted with other moments when the language leans into lyrical density, and it’s in the contrast between the direct and the poetic that the work finds strength.
While the piece occasionally risks feeling too diffuse in its structure, TRAPLORD is ultimately a rich, evocative exploration. It doesn’t aim to provide answers but rather invites the audience into a shifting world of images, rhythms and voices, all circling the complexities of Black manhood.
Runs until 31 May 2025
