GOING FOR GOLD at Park Theatre

★★★★

“A gripping and heartfelt true story”

Based on a true story, Going for Gold is a moving retrospective about a British boxing champion’s greatest triumphs and losses, told from the ringside perspective of the woman who loved him.

Yes, there is boxing onstage and you will hear the Rocky theme.

Written by Lisa Lintott, Going for Gold tells the story of two-time National ABA and Commonwealth Games 1974 middleweight champion, Frankie Lucas (Jazz Lintott). Frankie came to London from Saint Vincent as part of the Windrush generation, and we first meet him as a nine-year-old when he joins a boxing club in Croydon. As he trots off, a woman enters and addresses the audience: “I’m not his mother”. This is Gene (Llewella Gideon), who fell in love with Frankie when they were both teenagers and soon after gave birth to their son, Michael (Daniel Francis-Swaby). The immediate break of the fourth wall and the age difference between the actors portraying Gene (50s) and Frankie (30s) tells us that this play is Gene’s memory of her long-term boxer boyfriend. She is our narrator, with Gideon showcasing a natural gravitas that compels the spectator. The play showcases highlights and challenges from Frankie’s life. He valiantly fights against systemic racism to build his sporting legacy in 70s England, but at the expense of his family.

The stage design (Erin Guan) is symbolic of Frankie’s battles outside the boxing ring. We see a living room to the left, a gym office to the right and a boxing ring in the middle. In the left corner is Gene, urging Frankie to come home to see Michael. In the right corner is Frankie’s trainer George (Nigel Boyle), who also urges him to go home to his “missus and son”. In the middle is Frankie whose hunger for success turns into self-sabotaging paranoia. As boxer and trainer, Lintott and Boyle make a fabulous pair. Boyle is exceptional, finding a cool balance between being a stern coach and supportive brother figure. Lintott sometimes struggles with the Saint Vincent accent, but he commands attention with a suave presence and spectacular comedic timing.

The stellar collaboration of the creative team shines during the boxing matches. The play covers Frankie’s greatest fights from 1971 to 1980, executed with excellent movement direction by David Gilbert and fight choreography from Rupert Charmak. What makes the fights impressive, is the clever use of cinematic devices onstage. Here, a knockout is shown in slow-motion, supported by foley boxing sounds (Lo Wu) and strobe lighting (Cheng Keng). A cut-away shot is recreated by jumping between the stage and the projector. The projector shows us archival footage of the real Frankie Lucas fighting in the ring. Lights come on, and we see Frankie falling onto his corner stool onstage. This allows the audience to become immersed in both the public spectacle of boxing and the private moments between boxer and trainer.

The play’s only real issue comes at the end. Frankie and Michael have a conversation that rushes to get key plot points across to the audience before the ending. The unnatural pace (which is at odds with Philip J Morris and Xanthus’ otherwise spot on direction) prevents the moment from having the emotional impact the play seeks in the final scene. Despite this, the story has a satisfying ending. The show’s star is Llewella Gideon who seamlessly navigates between being present onstage and addressing the audience, thus delivering a stunning performance.

A gripping and heartfelt true story about a boxer who was forgotten by history but championed by his family, Going for Gold makes for an insightful and exciting evening at the theatre.

GOING FOR GOLD at Park Theatre

Reviewed on 12th November 2024

by Lara van Huyssteen

Photography by James Potter

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE FORSYTE SAGA | ★★★★★ | October 2024

AUTUMN | ★★½ | October 2024

23.5 HOURS | ★★★ | September 2024

BITTER LEMONS | ★★★½ | August 2024

WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU | ★★★★★ | August 2024

THE MARILYN CONSPIRACY | ★★★★ | June 2024

IVO GRAHAM: CAROUSEL | ★★★★ | June 2024

A SINGLE MAN | ★★★★ | May 2024

SUN BEAR | ★★★ | April 2024

HIDE AND SEEK | ★★★★ | March 2024

COWBOYS AND LESBIANS | ★★★★ | February 2024

HIR | ★★★★ | February 2024

GOING FOR GOLD

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★★★★

“defies genres whilst remaining coherent and witty”

Written by Dan York Loh the piece is a thoughtful and vivid exploration of the experience of being mixed race in a working class British small town and also a reflection on Chinese philosophy, with further references to the legacy of economic austerity, lack of opportunities and alienation. The play features punk symphonies and psychedelic rock throughout. The actors tell the story of a character’s life, relaying personal events that make up the ‘unrepresentative experience’ of being mixed race in Britain. Interactions with memories and spiritual characters such as the Master of the Opaque are mixed into music and cheerful radio announcements for the EA Podcast. Directed by Alice Kornitzer, the show is in a free form style and the benefits of this freedom are utilised very effectively.

York Loh defies genres whilst remaining coherent and witty. Video projections paint the scene behind on the white walls of the set, providing abstract artistic visuals of the scenes. Composed by An-Ting Chang, the cast take up instruments to perform songs seamlessly and transitions are inventive and effective. During the midpoint the stage separates to reveal an octagonal screen, evoking a Pink Floyd gig as well as a wooden dock, emulating an older setting. The music is vibrant and sometimes angry. Songs about “The East vs West” and “Virtuosity” add to the reflective stream-of-consciousness style, whilst also being enjoyable musical moments. The base guitar hits through the lead’s oscillating notes whilst spoken word and lyrics are delivered.

The story utilises Chinese philosophy to talk about the narrator’s life, referencing the ‘Dao’ or ‘the way’ to talk about the various paths one can take in life. The character refuses to tell a cliche story, admitting they didn’t have a stereotypical upbringing; “lived in a 70s sitcom” and attended a Catholic school and stole cars. The play regularly breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience and reflecting on how the show is being perceived; “far too indignant for subtlety”. The play discusses racism experienced by the narrator, in particularly, a haunting nursery rhyme is recited at various moments; “Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, what are these”. The layers of this childhood insult are explored and dismantled. There are also reflections on crime, solidarity and the quest for identity. No and again there was some lack of clarity and some topics felt less explored than others. There was room for some tightening on the closing of the first act and as the writer says “the show’s already long enough”, but these issues don’t take away from the overall experience.

The actors portray the various spiritual characters flashbacks. Melody Chikakane Brown playing Master Obscure and Master Opaque with humour and wisdom whilst also portraying the main character in the flashbacks. Aruhan Galieva delivers impressive vocals and singing with energy and talent whilst also bringing levity through their flashback characters. Daniel York Loh plays guitar and minor characters, allowing the other performers to carry the major plot moments. The play is brilliantly unique and wonderfully performed, with the spirit of punk and rock permeating throughout.

GOING FOR GOLD at Park Theatre

★★★★

“A gripping and heartfelt true story”

GOING FOR GOLD at Park Theatre

Reviewed on 12th November 2024

by Lara van Huyssteen

Photography by James Potter

Previously reviewed at this venue:

GOING FOR GOLD

GOING FOR GOLD

THE DAO OF UNREPRESENTATIVE BRITISH CHINESE EXPERIENCE at the Soho Theatre

★★★★

“defies genres whilst remaining coherent and witty”

THE DAO OF UNREPRESENTATIVE BRITISH CHINESE EXPERIENCE at the Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 21st June 2024

by Jessica Potts

Photography © Soho Theatre

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE DAO OF

THE DAO OF