Prize Fighter

This is a deeply moving first play from Congolese-Australian writer Future D Fidel, obviously finely polished in workshops by director Todd MacDonald and his La Boite Theatre in Brisbane.

The power is in Fidel’s near autobiographical story about a childhood dragged through the horrors of racial genocide in the Congo, refugee camps and a new world in Brisbane. 

Isa is now a promising prize fighter in the ring but, as the action constantly segues back to snapshots of his past, we understand its burden on his new life …and why he just can’t land that killer blow.

Pacharo Mzembe is remarkable as Isa, a muscular fighter, but a perfectly poised actor. This visceral energy and yet fine detail of performance is throughout the whole ensemble, including Pacharo’s brother Gideon Mzembe who plays Isa’s doomed brother back in Africa, as well as his boxing opponent.

Thuso Lekwape is casually terrifying as the manic boy soldier who makes an ally of little Isa – after slaughtering Isa’s father.  Zindzi Okenyo brings heart and wit to her roles, Kenneth Ransom a tall dignity and in the ring Margi Brown-Ash drives Isa on as his tough trainer.

Boxing rings can produce dull clichés and obvious themes.  Here it’s elevated by masterful fight sequences and their quick juxtaposition with Fidel’s snapshots back in time, cinematically capturing poignant memories without a word wasted.  David Walters’ lighting across Bill Haycock’s boxing ring set helps us leap between realities.

This Prize Fighter has legs.  As a knockout story from the depths of our refugee experience, it would be a profound Australian export.

Martin Portus

Photographer: Brett Boardman