This was a one off performance that I saw last night at the Actors Pulse theatre in Regent Street, Redfern.
The occasion was the graduating performance by actor Naji Trad.
The piece the actor chose was the play SHADOW BOXING a 1994 piece by Australian playwright James Gaddas.
This play has an interesting history. In 1989, acclaimed Australian actor David Field commissioned the young playwright to write a play focused on the world of boxing. The reason, Field’s father was a professional boxer.
Gaddas came up with a solo piece featuring oung boxer named Flynn. The play premiered at the Stables theatre in January 1994.
Flynn’s dark shadows are the difficult, dysfunctional relationship he has had with his father, and his difficulties in accepting his homosexuality, particularly difficult as he lives in a hyper masculine world.
Naji Trad gives an impressive, powerful performance. I spoke briefly to Trad after the show and he told me that he had, for the last six months, spent plenty of time working out at the gym. It definitely showed, with him not only playing the part well, but very much looking the part.
Many will no doubt remember Robert DeNiro’s method style Academy Award winning role as the great boxer Jake LaMotta, where he also trained a lot to build up his physique as well as honing his legendary acting skills.
Clearly, the appeal of boxing extends well further than the boxing ring to the theatrical and cinematic worlds.
SHADOW BOXING was jointly directed by Terry Siourounis and the owner and Billy Milionis, theArtistic Director of the Actors Pulse theatre is Billy Millionis which not only has a performance space, (which is available for hire) but is also an actors training studio.
The show has one more performance, playing tonight at the Actors Pulse theatre, Redfern.
http://www.theactorspulse.com.au
