Dock X, Canada Water – until 9 December 2023
Reviewer Alec Legge
4****
Off to London’s Dockland to see ‘Rumble in the Jungle‘! Not knowing what to expect, advertised as a trip back in time to the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974 Zaire and it being an immersive spectacle.
On entering what appeared to be a warehouse and a foyer type space where at one end there was a boxing ring set up which was open on two sides and surrounded by an array of of punch bags hanging from the roof. The audience members were encouraged to gather round the ring and treated to a lively intro to what was going to happen. It was stressed that we were no longer an audience but were active participants in the show.
Then a door opened and we were led into a large colourful space where there were bars, stages and stalls set up and at one end a reproduction of a hotel entertainment area complete with a bar, food counter, tables and chairs and a dais with a pianist,double bass player and then a singer.
We were treated too songs with the audience being encouraged to participate whilst drinking and dining. All this time there were actors playing the part of Congolese citizens and soldiers and also various characters involved in the boxing scene such as Don King and others including David Frost. Being an immersive show the audience were encouraged to connect and speak with the characters as though we were actually back in time at Zaire in 1974.
This was followed by press conferences with actors taking the parts of Ali and Foreman plus their entourage. The repartee between the fighters was brilliant with including Ali’s famous, ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’
There was also a re-creation of the famous Zaire ’74 music festival with entertainers taking the parts of James Brown, BB King, Miriam Makeba and others. A feast for the eyes and ears!
Thus to the finale, the actual fight. This took place in an arena consisting of a semi circular seating area facing a boxing ring backed by a large screen on which film of the actual fight was shown whilst in the ring the two actors playing the participants and a referee acted out the fight in real time. This was a really enjoyable spectacle in its own right. Fantastic.
All in all the show was really immersive and spectacular with the audience engaging with the action in the various scenarios wholeheartedly.
The producers and directors of the show are to be commended for bringing to life this amazing sporting event and events surrounding it! It was a spectacular, colourful and enjoyable experience all round. Well worth a visit not just for fight fans but enjoyable for all.