The critically acclaimed Shadow Boxing, starring Fleur du Cap winner Daniel Newton and directed by award-winning director Mdu Kweyama, comes to The Drama Factory in Strand from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 October.
The stage production is about a 21-year-old heavyweight fighter burdened by the shadow of his father’s past and bigotry, and his own internalised perceptions of masculinity. Shadow Boxing recently had a celebrated critically acclaimed run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has had multiple sell-out runs in South Africa.
Newton, who truly shines in the heavy-hitting one-man show, has just been awarded a coveted Fleur du Cap award for best performance in a revue, cabaret or one-person show. Alone on a stage adorned with nothing but a metal bucket, a punching-bag, a worn pair of boxing gloves and a suit jacket, the character Flynn tells us his story, weaving his gut-wrenching narrative through his cruel childhood, his rise to boxing stardom, and his tragic fall from grace.
Audiences find themselves in the role of second actor, spoken to as a confidant, holding their breath as Newton pushes himself to the edge both physically and emotionally. In just an hour he single-handedly relays Flynn’s story.
The character throws himself at the punch-bag with the abandon of a man who has nothing left to lose as he fights desperately to save himself from confronting his shadows. While rage and frustration come easily to Flynn it’s his moments of fear and vulnerability that hold your heart.
Newton holds nothing back, skilfully combining moments of chaotically gruelling physical exertion with quiet reflection, insight and compassion as he reluctantly embraces who he is – with devastating consequences.
Shadow Boxing will be staged at 19:30 on Friday and Saturday, with a matinee at 16:00 on Sunday. Tickets, at R150 and R120 per person, can be booked online at www.thedramafactory.co.za or by calling 073 215 2290.
