A raucous night of live music, wild revolution and self-reckoning, M’ap Boulé explores the story of the first black-led republic of Haiti and the personal experiences of its creator, Nancy Denis, a Haitian-Australian woman growing up on the stolen land of Australia.
M’ap Boulé translated to English means ‘I’m on fire’ in Haitian Krèole, a language that was developed during the Haitian Revolution in 1804. The term itself came from the revolution, when black Haitian slaves rose up against British and French colonisers and set the country ablaze.
Today, M’ap Boulé is used as an expression to say “I’m fine” when someone asks you how you are.
“The Haitian revolution is the largest and most successful slave rebellion in the Western Hemisphere. It has played a huge role in shaping Haitian culture,” says Denis. “M’ap Boulé is me exploring my heritage and the history of my people, but through the eyes of an immigrant growing up in another colonised country, and the internal battle that brings with it.”
The show features all the tracks from Nancy’s hit play M’ap Boulé, plus a few extras.
The live concert is directed by Hilton Denis, original music composed by Carl St Jacques with lyrics by Nancy Denis.
