Ivan Michael Blackstock’s dance production TRAPLORD explores life, death and black male stereotypes at Aviva Studios

Taking over Aviva Studios this September, Ivan Michael Blackstock’s Olivier Award-winning TRAPLORD brings a searing, soulful and intensely insightful meditation on life, death and rebirth to Manchester in collaboration with Factory International.

Billed as a defiant journey of self-actualisation which unfolds along the thin, shifting line between dream and reality, TRAPLORD sheds all pretense to interrogate mental health, masculinity and the ongoing stereotypes surrounding black men in western society, charting a course to liberation through mesmerising live music, electrifying dance and stirring spoken word.

Co-produced with ALTRUVIOLET, Factory International and Sadler’s Wells, Blackstock’s captivating production debuted to rave reviews at 180 studios in 2022, and won the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production.

Renowned for his work as a choreographer, mentor and dauntless cultural disruptor, Ivan Michael Blackstock has collaborated with Nike, Red Bull, The Southbank Centre and Central Saint Martins on a variety of projects, as well as contributing his choreographical expertise to Beyoncé’s Black Is King and Grammy award-winning music video Brown Skin Girl.

Speaking ahead of his arrival in Manchester, Blackstock said: “I am incredibly excited to bring TRAPLORD to Manchester at Aviva Studios this September. Sharing this personal and powerful journey of self-actualisation, mental health, and masculinity with the vibrant community here means a lot to me. I hope the show resonates and makes a meaningful impact, as we collectively explore and celebrate this shared story.”

On Fri 27 Sep, Ivan Michael Blackstock will be hosting a post-show Q&A at 9pm. The Q&A is free and open to all. Ivan will have just performed, taken some time in between and then be coming out to answer questions.

Following Thursday’s opening performance, Aviva Studios will be hosting an after-party with TRAPLORD DJs, while Sunday’s schedule includes a performance by Shockout Dance School, as well as pre and post-show sets from DJ Kofi Mingo.

Click below to book tickets for TRAPLORD.