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Mojisola Adebayo and the Ali Collective with Oval House Theatre present: MUHAMMAD ALI AND ME
Director: Sheron Wray Cast: Mojisola Adebayo, Charlie Folorunsho and Jacqui Beckford
Oval House Theatre
11 - 29 November 2008
A review by Amber Gregory for EXTRA! EXTRA!
This is the autobiographical tale of Mojisola Adebayo intertwined with the story of the boxer Muhammad Ali. Produced, written and performed by Adebayo, it is clearly a personal story that she feels extremely passionate about telling. Muhammad Ali and Me follows the journey of Mojisola, a black girl growing up in white care in 1970’s London. The child of a Danish mother (from Denmark Hill) and a Nigerian Father (who disappears to fight in Africa) Mojisola is left in London to grow up in a foster home. As we see her grow from young child to teenager to adult, we see her going through a journey of self discovery. She struggles socially with the colour of her skin, her name, her heritage, not fitting in anywhere. This however is not a story of pity- it is a story of exploration and strength. Muhammad Ali is a figure who also explores his identity throughout his life after declaring himself as a Muslim in 1964 and changing his name from Cassius Marcellus Clay to Muhammad Ali and this exploration of identity is something that Mojisola experiences herself and explores throughout the story. As a performer Adebayo transforms herself from Muhammad Ali and the character of Mojisola. This in itself obviously demonstrates the links between the characters and in using Muhammad Ali demonstrates how many of us go through these journeys in life- no matter who we are. In the program Adebayo is called ‘the fighter’, the most obvious explanation for this is because she plays a boxer but throughout the performance we see Mojisola fighting for truth and justice, and a fight within herself trying to work out how she fits within society, just as Muhammad Ali does in his life. Charlie Folorunsho plays ‘The Corner Man’. In boxing the corner-man remains outside the combat area during the fight, but in proximity, and can assist the fighter through instruction. This is precisely the role that Folorunsho has throughout the performance. He plays numerous characters that aid Mojisola throughout the story- from her black father, to her white foster mother. The diversity of his acting is extremely apparent through every new character he plays. Both actors must be commended on their ability to switch characters so constantly that sometimes they are having a two person conversation with themselves. ‘The Referee’ is played by Jacqui Beckford who performs using British Sign Language throughout the performance. I have seen countless theatre productions having BSL signed by an interpreter standing at the side in front of the stage. The way that BSL is used in this show is completely unique. Beckford is included as much as the other two actors in the performance and uses BSL as a dance form as well as a language. This works extremely well in this story as it stresses the importance of equal opportunity for members of the audience- just as the play is also a fight for equality. The play is set in a boxing ring. This is extremely Brechtian. Brecht believed that theatre should be more like a sporting event to get an audience excited about a performance and he set some of his own plays in a boxing ring. The use of projection and subtitles during song is also extremely Brechtian and Adebayo clearly wanted audiences to leave the performance, having been moved to react and respond to what they see- just as Brecht strived to achieve throughout his career. Although the play covered many serious issues such as growing up in care, identity, race and religion, it refrains from being too heavy or depressing as it was performed with life and energy by the actors. The performance is full music, movement, boxing, magic tricks, poetry and film. It has strong opinions and thoughts but never becomes forceful. This play is a must see for anyone who feels as though they are not sure where exactly they are from, and what their purpose is. This play is for everyone. Venue: Oval House Theatre, Dates and Times: 11 - 29 November Box Office: 020 7582 7680
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