Death of the Bachelors: BlacBrik take to the Ballet Nights Stage
- Olivia Godwin
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Your insight into Death of the Bachelors, choreographed and performed by BLACBRIK, made up of Nahum McLean & Darius Drooh. Catch the choreographic duo at Ballet Nights 007: Pillars & Pioneers on April 1st at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square.
BLACBRIK is an exciting choreographic duo founded by Nahum McLean & Darius Drooh, that aims to delve into the essence of human connection through the medium of dance, drawing upon their varied backgrounds to push the boundaries of narrative in dance.
London-based, Nahum McLean, is a dancer, choreographer and rehearsal director, spanning contemporary dance, commercial theatre and film. His career began with training and work in Havana, Cuba, with Ballet Laura Alonso, and in New York, he was a scholar at The Ailey School, receiving The Alvin Ailey Scholarship Award. He has since performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and toured with the International Company of West Side Story, also performing in London's West End and internationally in shows like Inala - A Zulu Ballet. Nahum's choreographic work has been featured with Ballet Laura Alonso, The Hammond, Shockout, and The Ailey School, also collaborating with choreographers including Camille A. Brown when he was a member of the New York Dance Lab.
San Fanciscan, Darius Drooh, makes up the other half of the choreographic duo, beginning his dance education with Elvia Marta at the San Francisco School of the Arts and continuing his training at the Edge Performing Arts Center under Bill Prudich and Randy Allure. His talent earned him full scholarships to The Ailey School, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School, and the Anthony Burrell Breaking Barriers program. He has received notable recognition, including the Beach Blanket Babylon $10,000 scholarship for dance and a top 10 finish in the 2009 World Hip Hop competition. Darius has performed in pieces by dance icons such as Alvin Ailey,Matthew Rushing, and Darrell Grand Moultrie, and appeared on the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance." As a choreographer, Drooh has contributed to the NYC Jazz Choreography Festival and worked with the Ailey Student Performance Group and various dance schools. He is currently performing in the West End production of "The Lion King."
Together, as BLACBRIK, their mission is to forge a deep connection with audience members, aiming to transcend the typical boundaries of performance. Through intricate choreography and meaningful storytelling, McLean and Drooh engage audiences, inviting them into a conversation that bridges the gap between the stage and the seats.
"Death of the Bachelors" is a manifestation of this mission, blending personal narratives with artistic collaborations. This piece captures the emotional depth and complexity of friendship, memory, and the passage of time, offering a reflective and engaging experience without the use of live music, highlighting the power of dance to communicate and connect.
Speaking to Nahum McLean, we found out a bit more about the piece, the fun soundtrack by James Brown and Sam Cooke, and what Ballet Nights means to them.
Tell us a bit more about Death of the Bachelors?
“Death of the Bachelors is a piece about two men who realise their bachelor days are over. The late nights, the freedom, the idea that there’s always more time—it’s all slipping away, whether they like it or not. Over a drink, they sit with it, wrestle with it, and, by the end, find a way to move forward. Ballet Nights audiences will see that moment play out—just two men facing what’s next.”
How does the soundtrack add to the Piece?
“The music in this piece really shapes the journey. Night Train by James Brown and the Famous Flames - which goes back to 1961! - kicks things off with Brown’s unstoppable energy, pushing the characters forward whether they’re ready or not. It’s that moment when reality starts creeping in, but they’re still riding the momentum."
"Then comes the bluesy Fool’s Paradise by Sam Cooke – in which he thinks back ruefully on the life he’s led - which is where the reflections starts to set in. The denial, the illusion that nothing has to change, and the weight of realising it already has! Finally the very funky ‘I Got A Bag of my Own’ by James Brown closes things out, bringing it back to the individual. Each man starts coming to terms with what this shift means for him. The music really moves with the piece, carrying it from resistance to realisation to whatever comes next.”
This will be BlacBrik’s Ballet Nights debut, what does that mean to you?
“We are really looking forward to performing at Ballet Nights! It’s such an exciting platform that brings together so many different voices in dance, and I think Ballet Nights audiences really value storytelling through movement. Sharing the stage with such a varied programme makes it even more special. And we are very excited to bring Death of the Bachelors to Cadogan Hall’s awesome space!”
Book your tickets to Ballet Nights 007: Pillars & Pioneers today to see BLACBRIK in action!
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