Performed in memory and celebration of Muhammad Ali, The Greatest, 1942-2016.
‘Muhammad Ali and me have one thing in common: we were Black in the seventies.’
Muhammad Ali and Me is the critically acclaimed coming-of-age story of a young girl growing up in foster care and her fantastical friendship with the legendary, Muhammad Ali.
Ali was always full of surprises. He danced in the boxing ring, rapped at press conferences, recited poetry in TV interviews, preached Islam from the back of a Cadillac and invoked revolution in a generation.
In the spirit of Ali, Muhammad Ali and Me is a rich, ‘beautifully rendered’ (What’s On Stage) production full of wonder told through poetry, dance, boxing, African acapella singing, audience interaction and integrated British Sign Language. Ali himself makes a guest appearance through verbatim text and original fight footage, with cartoon animation, pyrotechnics, magic tricks and a superb eclectic 1970’s sound track.
Cast and creatives
Mojisola Adebayo
Charlie Folorunsho
Jacqui Beckford
Director Sheron Wray
Designer Rajha Shakiry
Lighting designer Crin Claxton with Mannie Manim
Producer and Music Supervisor Debo Adebayo for Mix ‘n’ Sync
Original Music Juwon Ogungbe
Visuals Editor Sue Giovanni
Production Manager Abidemi Mosaku
Company Stage Manager Alison Pottinger
Community Consultant Avaes Mohammad
Technical Manager Crin Claxton
Mentor Semsem Kuherhi
Original Dramturg Amani Naphtali
Company voice work Andrea Ainsworth
The Albany, 6th-15th October 2016
Tour of boxing clubs, 21st – 30th October 2016
Reviews
In the spirit of Ali, Muhammad Ali and Me is a rich, ‘beautifully rendered’ (What’s On Stage) production full of wonder told through poetry, dance, boxing, African acapella singing, audience interaction and integrated British Sign Language. Ali himself makes a guest appearance through verbatim text and original fight footage, with cartoon animation, pyrotechnics, magic tricks and a superb eclectic 1970’s sound track.
‘As a piece of stagecraft, an entertaining kaleidoscope of social and political history, only one description will do: this is a play that ‘floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.’ WHAT’S ON STAGE ★★★★
This show has a knockout stage design courtesy of Rajha Shakiry. Adebayo, who plays both Ali and the girl, is quite a performer: she can also charm your socks off when she wants to. Charlie Folorunsho makes an impressive foil…The ambition is huge. You couldn’t ask for more. TIMEOUT
A must-see for Ali fans.’ AFRIDIZIAK ★★★★