Page 170 - FINAL_Guildhall Media Highlights 2019-2020 Coverage Book
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When the bout eventually materialises, Johnson is ready to step
up and represent black America.
But the arrival of his sister Nina forces him to confront the cost
of victory. Will it improve America’s racial politics or should he
lose the fight because, as his sister warns: “Somewhere close
there’s a nervous hand flirting with the grip of a knife.”
White violence in the face of black achievement has tragic
consequences in the play, given a well-paced and inventively
staged production by Ameera Conrad which cleverly draws out
the rhythms and musicality of Marco Ramirez’s text.
The performers are all final-year acting degree students at
Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the ensemble,
collectively and individually strong, are led by Shaka Kalokoh as
Johnson.
He gives a strong central performance, tempering the boxer’s
physicality with his thoughtfulness, while Emanuel Vuso as
Fish, Johnson’s sparing partner, is a particularly charismatic
presence and his excitement for Johnson’s big fight is infectious.
As Nina, Anele Mahamba injects a vital energy into proceedings
and Cory Hippolyte and Brandon Bassir also impress.
Runs until February 13, box office: barbican.org.uk
