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A fascinating and educational biopic drama showcasing the challenges and dedication of boxer Frankie Lucas, both inside and outside the ring.Summary
Rating
Good
Entering the theatre, the audience is immediately immersed in the world of 1970’s boxer, Frankie Lucas. The seating is arranged to position the audience as spectators overlooking a boxing ring, as 70’s songs build up hype for the coming matches. But peering at the stage through the fog recreating the grimy nature of smoke-filled sports venues, we can see that Going for Gold will tell more than just Lucas’s sporting career.
Co-Producers Lisa Lintott (also the writer) and Jazz Lintott (who also stars as Lucas) give as much weight to telling the story of Lucas’s family life and personal struggles as they do his life in the ring. This choice is very much reflected in the set design; although the ring dominates the centre, it is flanked by the boxing club offices (desk and motivational posters) on one side and the family home (lush sofa and table) on the other, both competing for Lucas’s attention. Lucas must ultimately try to balance his commitments to the sport and to his loved ones. Co-Directors Philip J Morris and Xanthus keep up momentum and engagement with both sides of the story, which are fascinating to uncover.
Lucas takes up boxing from a young age, under the tutelage of supportive manager Ken (Cyril Blake) and later the dedicated trainer George (Nigel Boyle). Despite his hard training, Lucas falls victim to politicking; despite winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games, it is for St Vincent rather than England as he had hoped. This is the first of many setbacks in his career, as he is constantly overlooked despite his talent, which places stress upon him in both his sporting and personal life. Jazz Lintott conveys the dedication, frustration and disappointment which Lucas feels, and we see the negative effect this has on relations with his girlfriend Gene (Llewella Gideon) and son Michael (Daniel Francis-Swaby). They all feel his absence whilst he trains for a career which does not go as planned.
There are many years (and boxing matches) to cover, so several inventive tools are used to present Lucas’s career in a non-linear structure. There is creative use of video footage of the real Frankie Lucas fighting his matches, and Lucas excitedly listens to the radio for news on the matches and career moves of rival boxers. The story is framed by Gene acting as guide to Lucas’s life as she looks back on events, conveying the history and highlighting the family life that he is sacrificing. Gideon brings a great deal of warmth and humour as she directly addresses the audience and pauses scenes to provide some additional insights. Later, Francis-Swaby emotionally conveys Michael’s pride in his father and regret that so much time was lost between them. However, this important reconciliation feels stretched out; the conversation continues after reaching a natural conclusion, and could have been trimmed down to be more effective.
Jazz Lintott has clearly committed himself to mastering both Rupert Charmak’s fight choreography and David Gilbert’s movements, to showcase the physicality of the boxing matches. We see a full range of offensive and defensive moves, sometimes in slow motion to highlight a finishing move. Cheng Keng and Lo Wu very much enhance the experience with lighting and sound effects; heavy hits are accompanied by suitable wallops, with red light bathing the ring. To showcase matches rapidly, Lintott realistically mimes bouts with imaginary foes.
The talented cast brings Lucas’s engaging story to life; although he never achieved the fame he hoped for, it is interesting to learn about the trials and triumphs he faced in the ring and at home.
Written by: Lisa Lintott
Co-Directed by: Philip J Morris and Xanthus
Co-Produced by: Lisa Lintott and Jazz Lintott
Creative design by: Dacre Bracey
Production design by: Erin Guan
Lighting design by: Cheng Keng
Sound design by: Lo Wu
Movement directed by: David Gilbert
Fight choreography by: Rupert Charmak
Going For Gold plays at Park Theatre until 30 November. Further information and tickets available here.
