IMPASSE BY MUFUTAU YUSUF

Dance Cork Firkin Crane are thrilled to welcome Mufutau Yusuf back to our stage this September with Impasse in its full duet version with Shafiki Sseggayi, following two electric performances of the solo iteration of the work in 2024.

Impasse is a powerful, driving, high-speed performance with a set and props that reference African immigration, and confronts 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. Impasse is a compelling exploration of ethnicity, identity, and the experience of the Black diaspora and love.

Warning: Contains loud music, strobe lighting, nudity

• Choreographer Mufutau (Junior) Yusuf
• Performers Mufutau Yusuf, Shafiki Sseggayi
• Composition Tom Lane
• Sound design Mick Donohoe
• Lighting design Matt Burke
• Costume design Alison Brown
• Text Ikenna Anyabuike
• Production manager Lisa Mahoney
• Set design Mufutau Yusuf
• Set consultant Lisa Krugel
• Stage manager Alison O'Shea
• Producer Gwen Van Spÿk
• Photography Pato Cassinoni
• Tour produced by LUAIL - Ireland's national dance company

Mufutau Yusuf is currently based between Ireland and Brussels. Since 2020 Mufutau has performed with Liz Roche Company in Ireland and the US. Mufutau made his full-length NYC choreographic debut with Òwe at the Irish Arts Centre, New York in 2022. As Associate Dance Artist at Liz Roche Company 2022 – 24, Mufutau premiered his new work Impasse, at Dublin Dance Festival 2024 which went on to tour across Ireland and internationally supported by Supported by Solstice Arts Centre, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Irish Arts Centre New York, Ultima Vez, Dublin Dance Festival, Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre, Maison de la Danse, Lyon, Le Pôle européen de création, Centre National de la Danse. Mufutau presented his latest piece, Invocation as part of Chora, Luail’s inaugural performance; a triple bill of new works by choreographer Guy Nader and Maria Campos, Liz Roche and Mufutau Yusuf. Chora opened at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre as part of Dublin Dance Festival’s 21st Edition.

Commissioned by Liz Roche Company and supported by Solstice Arts Centre, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Irish Arts Centre New York, Ultima Vez, Dublin Dance Festival, Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre, Maison de la Danse, Lyon, Le Pôle européen de création and Centre National de la Danse. Funded by The Arts Council.