Impasse Mufutau Yusuf
World Premiere
Ireland
A compelling exploration of ethnicity, identity and the experience of the Black diaspora.
Fri 24—Sat 25 May 2024
Emerging talent Mufutau Yusuf premieres his highly anticipated new work, Impasse, following the success of his first full-length work Òwe, which premiered in New York and Dublin in 2022.
↓ Read morePrice
€22 full price / €18 conc.
How long?
60 mins (no interval)
This performance contains nudity.
There will be a post-show talk with Mufutau Yusuf after the performance on Sat 25 May, hosted by Tobi Balogun.
From the show
Watch
★★★★ “Although still a work in progress, Impasse by Mufutau Yusuf was almost perfectly formed as it eloquently challenged bodily identity and autonomy, in this case the black body.”
The Irish Times
“Already a successful dancer, Yusuf is emerging as a promisingly clear-visioned choreographer.”
The Irish Times
“When the charismatic Mufutau Yusuf is on stage, it's hard to look anywhere else.”
The New York Times
An attempt to understand the politics of the Black body in a contemporary western society, Impasse interrogates notions of representation, misrepresentation, and the lack of representation.
In this powerful work, two performers confront the biased narratives etched onto Black bodies throughout history. These narratives, steeped in cultural imperialism, violence, exploitation, marginalisation, and powerlessness, are laid bare with raw physicality and emotional intensity.
By challenging the historical racial projections of blackness – its crudeness, threat, sexuality, rage and immorality – the performance unveils its power, grace, sensuality, tenderness, intelligence and love. Impasse goes beyond mere exploration and invites a reshaping of our sense of self and community. It reclaims our humanity and celebrates the autonomy and self-determination of Black bodies.
Credits
- Choreographer Mufutau Yusuf
- Performers Lucas Katangila, Mufutau Yusuf
- Composition & Sound Tom Lane, Mick Donohoe
- Set Design Mufutau Yusuf
- Light Design Matt Burke
- Costume Design Alison Brown
- Prop Design Maryam Yusuf
- Text Ikenna Anyabuike
- Rehearsal Assistant Rima Baransi
- Production Manager Lisa Mahony
- Stage Manager / Set Consultant Lisa Krugel
- Co-production Liz Roche Company
Funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon
Commissioned by Liz Roche Company
Supported by Solstice Arts Centre, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Irish Arts Centre, Ultima Vez, Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre, Dublin Dance Festival, Maison de la Danse, Lyon – Pôle européen de creation, Centre National de la Danse.
