On the Ropes at Park Theatre

If On the Ropes wasn’t based on a true story, it would be hard to believe. This musical drama tracks the rise and tragic fall of Jamaican-British boxer Vernon “The Entertainer” Vanriel. Having lived in Tottenham since the age of six, London was all Vanriel had ever known; he gained national fame for his boxing prowess and innovative introduction of musical accompaniment to his entry into the ring; yet, at the height of his boxing success, an honest critique of the people at the top of the industry cost him everything. What followed was an extraordinary series of events.

Struggling with bipolar disorder and drug addiction, Vanriel traveled to Jamaica for a brief respite from the doldrums of London life, but his attempts to return to the UK – where he’d lived for 43 years – were thwarted by the UK Immigration Office’s incoherent laws. One of many people to have his life completely overturned by the Windrush Scandal, Vanriel was detained in Jamaica for 13 years without work, shelter or access to any sort of assistance. On the Ropes tracks the events of his extraordinary life over nearly two and a half hours. 

Zahra Mansouri’s set design furthers the metaphor of the boxer’s life as a series of matches, as all of the action takes place in a ring. Each significant period of time is likened to a “round”, with 12 in total marking various bouts with hardship. The commitment to tracking each major episode in his life is admirable, however, the show’s length is perhaps its greatest downfall. Certain elements feel somewhat drawn-out and over-explained, losing the potency of the initial “punch” with time spent espousing injustice that is already clear.

The energy and efforts of On the Ropes’s three-person cast are especially impressive amid the protracted runtime. Amber James and Ashley D Gayle wow as the “chorus”: taking on a variety of roles, they transition flawlessly from third-person narrators to people involved in the action – mothers, fathers, sisters, lovers, friends, enemies. One moment they are characters hopelessly devoted to getting the best for Vanriel, the next they are impeding him from any possible happiness. Mensah Bediako’s Vernon is both powerful and pitiable in turns.

Given the importance of music in Vanriel’s life and career, the inclusion of reggae, gospel and pop musical numbers throughout the show is fitting. The dialogue, too, at times takes on a rhythm similar to verse, reminiscent of slam poetry. As such, the influence of director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour – a poet herself – is clear.  

Despite its heartrending content and searing critique of a system perpetuating extreme injustice, On the Ropes is at its heart a story of human resilience. Co-written by Dougie Blaxland and Vernon Vanriel himself, this production manages to combine song, dance, humour and tragedy without giving any one element excessively more weight than another. The cast’s ability to remain animated over hours of numbers sustains the incredibly moving true story.

Madison Sotos
Photo: Steve Gregson

On the Ropes is at Park Theatre from 7^th January until 4^th February 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.