Mufutau Yusuf - Impasse

A compelling exploration of ethnicity, identity, and the experience of the Black diaspora.

Mufutau Yusuf's Impasse is an attempt to understand the politics of the Black body in a contemporary western society, interrogating notions of representation, misrepresentation, and the lack of representation.

Impasse is a powerful, driving, high-speed performance with a set and props that reference African immigration, and confronting 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.

Impasse premiered in May 2024 for Dublin Dance Dance Festival to critical and audience acclaim and went on to be presented at Dancebase for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival August 2024, and in autumn 2024 in France at Maison de la Danse, Lyon; in Ireland at Solstice Arts Centre, Navan and Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Cork; in Nigeria at Afropolis, Lagos, Nigeria; and in the UK at The Mac for Belfast International Arts Festival and Sadler’s Wells, London.