Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – until 6 March 2019
Reviewed by Sara Garner
4****
We are introduced to Jim “Glorious” Glory’s gym with the entrance of Ben (Josh Hart) who colorfully remarks on the state of the gym. This reflects the Glory days that are no more and so we are presented with three of the main characters of the play Ben, Dan (Joshua Lyster) and Jim (Jamie Smelt)
It is very clear from the outset that this play is going to challenge the audience with its black humor, racial stereotypes and Jim’s frustration for this. Its uncomfortably funny. The play then explores theses attitudes allowing the characters to openly develop in from of us by sharing their own traumatic experiences that have had a dramatic effect on their emotional wellbeing.
Jim Glory, makes it a rule for his apprentices to keep real life out of the ring. Played by Jamie Smelt this character imagines people find him very funny and enjoy his company, while still respecting him and looking up to him as a wrestler. He is oblivious to how other people see him, causing him to lash out whenever the veil of ignorance and pride he maintains is infiltrated. He believes in goodie-versus-baddie stories and doesn’t want the problems of people’s actual experience. For him, wrestling is about comedy, the act and entertainment.
At the end of Act 1 we met Sami (Ali Azhar) who has gone through his own physical and psychological traumas.
The relationship between the 4 characters is affected by their individual traumas and evolves throughout act 2. This ability to demonstrate the fluidity in their relationships shows that these actors truly understand not only the script but also the nuances of each of their characters and the effect of the judgmental society in which the live. What will they do to achieve their own Glory?
The audience leaves reflecting on their own experiences, prejudices and multi-cultural society in which we live in. This clearly shows how good this play really is.
Staged in a wrestling ring with some great choreographed stage fighting it is funny, energetic and gritty – it is also truly thought provoking.