About the performance

The son of a boxer who couldn't win, Flynn is determined not to end up like his father. He becomes a successful fighter through utter dedication. But is his gruelling training merely an avoidance tactic? A crisis builds as he moves to the title fight and the drama hurtles to a shattering conclusion, in this emotionally intense and highly physical one-man performance.

Key Personnel

James Gaddas - Writer
Jonny Collis - Performer
Donald Pulford - Director / Company Manager
Mark Brewer - Lighting and Sound
The Lincoln Company - Early production support

Production Information

Running time at full length: 60 minutes

Suitable for age 14+

Use of dense text

No use of music

Requires a clear understanding of English

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate for any space with a performing area of 4m x 3m

Number of people on tour: 3

Number of performers on stage: 1

Available to tour from December 2011, flexible

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

This is not something that we have done to date, but is entirely possible, and we welcome the idea. The Director of Shadow Boxing is Dr Donald Pulford, a well published Senior Lecturer at The University of Lincoln, School of Performing Arts. We could accompany the production with a lecture / workshop on his specialist subject 'Masculinity in Theatre', one of the core themes present in Shadow Boxing.

Company History

We first worked together in 2009 on the Award Winning production WEEPIE by Chris Goode (Best Production 2010 – Absolut Gay Theatre Festival Dublin). Immediately, we began work on Shadow Boxing in 2010, and in 2011 are producing two other plays, to be performed in the Summer.

The productions we create are constantly evolving, as the performer's experiment with new ideas on the stage, throughout the two month rehearsal period, and into performances themselves.

Recent Productions / Tours

2009/10 WEEPIE (short tour of UK and Ireland)
Weepie is a dynamic and unforgettable play of startling originality and force. Inspired by a real murder, Weepie is a radical analysis of male violence.

2010/11 Shadow Boxing (Edinburgh Fringe 2010)
Shadow Boxing presents a struggle for dignity and respect. A boxer facing his toughest opponents yet, his personal demons.

2011 The Penetrator (In Production)

2011 Half a Person: My Life as Told by The Smiths (in production)

Reviews

"One of the most intense and hypnotic solo performances of this year"

***** 5 stars Broadway Baby Aug 2010
(full review: http://www.broadwaybaby.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7450 )

“It is the sheer courage that emanates from the stage that really captivates the audience: delivering a strong and charismatic performance, Jonny Collis-Scurll has the audience hanging on his every word”

***** 5 stars ThreeWeeks (Unlimited) Aug 2010
(Full review: http://edinburgh.threeweeks.co.uk/review/9806&srch=Shadow+Boxing )

"One of the best actors I have ever seen in live theatre...Go see this show. You will love it. I did, and I dont even like boxing."

***** 5 stars Fresh Air Radio, Edinburgh Aug 2010
(Full Review: http://www.freshair.org.uk/node/1658 )

“This is a rare piece of theatre. A one man play bursting with such emotional punch, to describe it as moving is a massive understatement... is energetic, dramatic, and genuinely quite breathtaking. Rarely have I seen such a strong piece of acting on a Fringe stage.”

***** 5 stars ScotsGay Magazine Aug 2010
(Full Review: website seems compromised, can provide hard copy if required)

“effortless precision...There's an intoxicating rhythm to the way he blends movement and dialogue...Most people wouldn't be able to breathe after performing five minutes of this show”

**** 4 Stars The Scotsman Aug 2010
(Full Review: http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/viewreview.aspx?id=1998 )