Review: GOING FOR GOLD, Park Theatre

Photo credit: James Potter

Fighting was once an unruly pastime where combatants fought bare fisted until one dropped in a bloodied and broken mess. Time instilled progress as the noble art of boxing emerged with a sense of discipline and order. Merry hell would now be unleashed in three minute bursts as punches equalled points in a time limited contest. The modern protagonists sit in the pantheon of elite athletes who risk serious injury whenever they enter the ring. This play by Lisa Lintott tells the story of an everyman who became a champion boxer when England failed to recognise his potential.

It's 1963 and Frankie Lucus (Jazz Lintott) shows up as a nine-year old at the Sir Philip Game Boys Club. He meets Ken (Cyril Blake), a grizzled ex-miner turned cop. He sees potential in this skinny kid from St. Vincent and begins to train his protegee. As the 1970s dawn 'Ferocious Frankie' proves his mettle as a middleweight. He wins all of the major amateur ABA titles. But politics and horse trading deny him a place at the 1972 Olympics.

He suffers a similar fate in the Commonwealth Games two years later. This time he is determined to compete, only for the country of his birth, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Following the Games he turns professional and comes under the wing of legendary trainer George Francis (Nigel Boyle). But girlfriend Gene (Llewella Gideon) worries what the sport is doing to his health. After a life of 'should have been' and 'what if' can Frankie finally make peace with his estranged son Michael (Daniel Francis-Swaby)?

There's a remarkable fluency about this play that moves at a gentle but decisive pace. Lisa Lintott has brilliantly captured the mood of the era with a sharp and thoughtful script. Well-chosen pop hits and a screen projecting key moments in Frankie's life also provide historic context. The cast are magnificent throughout and find real empathy with their characters. Our only minor quibble is that Jazz Lintott looks more like a light heavyweight, rather than the 11 st 6lb middleweight he should be. The fight sequences are largely constructed in shadow boxing mode but are no less effective.

For a sports mad kid growing up in the 1970s, Going for Gold is a wonderful reminder of simpler times; when sport was free of cheap gimmicks and phoney gamesmanship. When true sporting icons had charisma and attitude. Frankie Lucus sadly fell through the cracks when he succumbed to a hedonistic lifestyle. This excellent play rightly brings his story back to life. His contemporaries John Conteh and the MacKenzie brothers later joined the cast on stage. We followed them out afterwards, so can proudly say we have walked in the footsteps of legends. It was a night of knock out punches and we wanted to go back for more.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Brian Penn

Going for Gold plays at the Park Theatre until 30 November, with further info here.