Review: SUCKER PUNCH, Wolverhampton Grand - Tour
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
As the first major revival of the 2010 Roy Williams play, Sucker Punch visits the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre as a part of the National Theatre’s Theatre Nation Partnerships, produced by the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.
Set in London during the 1980s, best mates Leon and Troy begin training in a run-down boxing gym after gym owner and trainer Charlie notices their potential in the boxing world. As they face the struggles of growing up as young black men in the 80s, both Leon and Troy try to figure out their place in the world, and Leon soon begins a secret affair with the daughter of his trainer and manager Charlie. With rivalries and battles both inside and outside of the boxing ring, relationships are put to the test and decisions must be made. After Troy rebels and leaves for America, the pair are one day reunited where it is time to step into the ring together and face up to who they truly are.
Williams’ play is cleverly written with clear yet realistic contrasts between dialogue of characters from different cultural and generational backgrounds. Direction from Nathan Powell is well thought out and brilliantly suits Williams’ script and is excellently executed by all performers in the company. All of the actors’ performances feature contrasting moments of great comedic timing, tenderness and intensity, particularly Shem Hamilton in role of Leon.
Since the onstage fights for this play are such an integral part of the story, the work of both Fight Director Enric Ortuño and Boxing Coach Gary Cooke are important for the production to look great onstage whilst ensuring the safety of the acting company, especially when repeating the fight sequences across the tour dates performance after performance.
The set for the production comes from the creative mind of Designer Sandra Falase and brings an authentic looking run-down boxing gym to life onstage, including the all-important boxing ring front and centre, with small details such as a trophy cabinet and a collection of posters and photographs lining the walls, adding the finishing touches to the whole look of the scenery. Lighting Designer Joshie Harriette has also added to the look of the boxing gym with the use of square panels of LED lights positioned above the boxing ring so that at times, they appear like the square ceiling panel lights that people often find within a gym. Alongside Sound Designer Duramaney Kamara’s use of echoing spoken dialogue, Harriette also uses the lighting to transform the performance space to take a step away from Charlie’s gym during Leon’s montage fight commentary, often using blues and reds to represent the opposite corners of the boxing ring and Leon’s opponents.
A touching story of fighting with the challenges of being black in the 80s and the battle to become a champion boxer, Sucker Punch is a witty and compelling revival of Roy Williams’ play with the combination of acting, direction and design bringing a beautiful authenticity to the piece.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jess Dalloway
Sucker Punch plays at Wolverhampton Grand until 17 June before visiting Sunderland, with further information here.