Review: TRAPLORD at Factory International explores ‘trauma, healing and self-discovery’

Factory International opens its doors to a new epic adventure, a heroic journey to self-realisation and self-discovery.

World-renowned artist and cultural innovator Ivan Michael Blackstock brings award-winning production TRAPLORD to Factory International from 26th to 29th of September.

TRAPLORD at Factory International

The performance initially premiered at 180 Studios in 2022, is a co-production between ALTRUVIOLET, Factory International and Sadler’s Wells, and is now adapted for Manchester with a brand-new cast.

Winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production, TRAPLORD uses an intense mix of dance, theatre and spoken word to weave a Homeric storyline and a deep exploration of mental health, masculinity, identity, and race.

The show is an invitation to question the stereotyping of Black men in contemporary Western society.

With the perfect use of strong lights and trap music, Blackstock and his cast create a strong narrative, a web of lived experience, trauma, inner dread, abuse, even panic and trepidation.

Condemned before having lived

The story, which portrays an attempt to escape from a mental state of being condemned before having lived, aims to inspire a healing process in both the main characters and the audience leaving, in the end, the feeling of waking up from a very bad dream.

The performance starts while the audience is still settling in: bright lights, dogs barking in the background, a hooded man running and trying to find his safety by following an unidentified beam of light.

This overall sense of confusion and dread immediately disappears when the show starts, with the initial, explosive song.

Excellently paced

While the first part of the show leaves the audience breathless with its fast-paced dancing performances, a long, emotional monologue slowly introduces us to the second and last act.

This is where each dancer can shine with their own, solo performance, until one new character, wearing a black helmet, joins the story.

She, the only female dancer in TRAPLORD, will be the key to unlock the heart-breaking finale.

But not all good things must necessarily come to an end: before the amazing cast of TRAPLORD says their goodbye, there is time for one last song, and the entire audience is welcome to join in what feels like a collective sigh of relief after everybody has shared and survived an emotional rollercoaster like no other.

Ivan Michael Blackstock

Ivan Michael 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.”

Tickets for TRAPLORD at Factory International

TRAPLORD is showing at Aviva Studios from 26-29 September. Following its current run at Factory International, it will also play in the opening season of Sadler’s Wells East from Wednesday 28th– Saturday 31st May 2025.

You can book tickets for TRAPLORD at Factory International by clicking here