Traplord
Ivan Michael Blackstock’s ‘TRAPLORD’ is a groundbreaking multimedia dance performance, which delves into profound themes of life, death, and rebirth. This Olivier Award-winning experience takes its audience on a transformative journey between dreams and reality, striving towards self-actualization. Mediated through the influences of Street and Internet Culture, the performance utilizes a raw and confrontational style of dance, movement and spoken word to examine opposing themes from police brutality and gang culture, to transformation, mental resilience and spirituality.
★★★★★
‘This work from Blackstock and a talented team of creative artists is so truly authentic, so incredibly felt, so pointed in its pain and power that you will think about nothing else for days.’
The Review Hub
‘TRAPLORD is not only an artistic expression but also a medium for healing, both for the performers and the audience. It addresses authentic experiences of physical and mental trauma, in its pursuit of truthful narratives. Together, they bring to life a vivid and immersive experience that aims to inspire and heal’
Ivan Michael Blackstock
★★★★
‘It’s a truly impressive piece, a confident mixture of speech, theatre, music and dance, tied together…which means that at moments the dancers seem both to be real and part of a disturbing game being played.’
The Guardian
Trailer Credits
Director/Choreographer: Ivan Michael Blackstock
Producer: ALTRUVIOLET
Cinematography: Josh Best, Joseph Edwards, Sean Frames, Ben Williams, IHB Films, Ivan Michael Blackstock
Editor: Izaak Brandt (IHB FILMS)
Music: Torben Sylvest
Cast: Stefano A. Addae, Ivan Michael Blackstock, Simeon Campbell-Crichlow, Warren ‘Wild G’ Gordon-Powell, Tyrone Issac-Stuart, Lisandro Leonel, Nathan Marsh, Magero, Theophillus ‘Godson’ Oloyade, Chaldon Williams, Dominant Namek, Kofi Mingo, Oneil Rochester, Bill Litambola
TRAPLORD BLK MEME / Random Acts
TRAPLORD BLK MEME/RA explores the Black mental health experience. A moving portrait reflecting on escapism and entrapment via archetypal symbolism and street culture.
Client: Channel 4
Director: Ivan Michael Blackstock
Producers: Dark Pictures London, ALTRUVIOLET
Movement Artists: Kanah Flex, Theophillus ‘Godson’ Oloyade, Warren ‘Wild G’ Gordon-Powell, Unkle TC, Chaldon Williams, Kofi Mingo, Kieran Warner
Director of Photography: Terrence Wilkins
Costume Designer: Saskia Lenaerts
Editor: GH%ST*
Colourist: Ella Soryl
Music: Mindaugas Juozapavicius, BRNSRGHT, Ivan Michael Blackstock
★★★★
‘Technically brilliant and conceptually unique exploration of Blackness and masculinity’
The Stage
TRAPLORD HAVE MERCY
TRAPLORD HAVE MERCY explores questions of identity, faith, abandonment and Black masculinity. Using dance, movement and spoken word, director and choreographer Ivan Michael Blackstock navigates a world in which socially disenfranchised young men grapple with some of the biggest philosophical questions of our time in their own way and on their own terms. Sensitive and powerful, TRAPLORD HAVE MERCY is a poetic reflection on Black masculinity in crisis.
CREDITS
Director/Choreographer Ivan Michael Blackstock
Producer ALTRUVIOLET
Co-Directors Josh Best, Dominant
Cinematography Josh Best, Joseph Edwards, Sean Frames
Editor Izaak Brandt (IHB FILMS)
Music Ivan Michael Blackstock, Dominant
Cast Stefano A. Addae, Ivan Michael Blackstock, Simeon Campbell-Crichlow, Warren ‘Wild G’ Gordon-Powell, Tyrone Issac-Stuart, Lisandro Leonel, Nathan Marsh, Magero, Theophillus ‘Godson’ Oloyade, Chaldon Williams
