Review: On The Ropes, Park Theatre

Review: On The Ropes, Park Theatre

Flashing lights and excessive tempo music herald the beginning of On The Ropes, the dramatisation of the lifetime of Vernon Vanriel (Mensah Bediako), a light-weight boxer who was ranked quantity two in England from 1983 to 1984. Vanriel was a baby of the Windrush era, fiercely proud to be British, and a Tottenham boy at that. A flamboyant fighter, he championed music from his heritage at his matches and was liked by the crowds. Unfortunately his preventing spirit was matched by outspoken opinions, which led to him being side-lined by the white boxing elite. A cocaine behavior later meant…

Flashing lights and excessive tempo music herald the beginning of On The Ropes, the dramatisation of the lifetime of Vernon Vanriel (Mensah Bediako), a light-weight boxer who was ranked quantity two in England from 1983 to 1984.

Vanriel was a baby of the Windrush era, fiercely proud to be British, and a Tottenham boy at that. A flamboyant fighter, he championed music from his heritage at his matches and was liked by the crowds. Unfortunately his preventing spirit was matched by outspoken opinions, which led to him being side-lined by the white boxing elite. A cocaine behavior later meant he was left with nothing and he went to go to household in Jamaica for 2 years within the perception that he had the suitable to stay in Britain. Unbeknownst to many, authorities coverage modified and in a Kafkaesque lifeless finish he was unable to return to the UK with no legitimate passport or struggle his declare to British citizenship with out being in London. Stateless for 13 years, he lived tough at vital price to his bodily and psychological well being, earlier than strain on the federal government lastly bore success. 

The first half of the efficiency follows Vanriel’s storm to success, with the boxing ring taking centre stage: each a construction for his fights and a metaphor for his later struggles. Pulled aside for the second half, the bodily fracture of the association is a manifestation of his full breakdown and the composition of the narrative works nicely, every chapter of his life introduced as a boxing spherical. Performed by simply three actors, Jamaican music is a companion all through the piece, uplifting the viewers, who take part at factors. Bediako performs Vanriel all through with Amber James and Ashley D Gayle labelled as refrain. Accurate this can be, however it on no account portrays their prowess as each transfer via identities, personalities and ethnicities, their accents adapting as they go. Support to the primary man, their vocal capabilities at occasions overpower Bediako’s, who’s nonetheless shifting and convincing in his journey from little one via spectacular athlete to an outdated man in in poor health well being. Much of the script is delivered in rhyming couplets and the fluidity of supply reinforces the musicality of the piece. 

This is a efficiency about being human and arbitrary injustice that’s fiercely related right now. Co-written by Vanriel himself on coming back from his self-termed banishment, it’s as a lot a howl of defiance and can to outlive as it’s an account of the appalling remedy suffered by the Windrush era. The fusion of the music all through the piece marks the emotional adjustments while stopping mawkishness. This is an extended play, however the trajectory of the story deserves the element, and definitely from the place I sat the viewers had been enthralled all through, as we lived each emotion with the actors. 

You can learn extra about this play in our current interview with director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour right here.

Written by: Vernon Vanriel and Dougie Blaxland
Directed by: Anastasia Osei-Kuffour
Lighting Design by: Holly Ellis
Produced by: The Production Exchange and Park Theatre

On The Ropes performs at Park Theatre till 4 February. Further info and bookings may be discovered right here.