Review: THE ROYALE at GableStage

Popping, Smacking, Hooking, Jabbing...and a Brilliant Smile

Lights up on stage and you immediately forget about that big old world outside. Joe Adler has taken Marco Ramirez's exceptional piece, THE ROYALE, and has added such talent that exceptional doesn't do it justice. Explosive works. From the first punch to the last arms raised high in victory, THE ROYALE is a seventy minute thriller. Black versus white nailed down in a boxing ring.

Loud pounding rhythm drives the evening. The rhythm of the punches, the bobbing and weaving, the awful sound of a fighter staggering against the ropes. You can hear it in the grunts, the feet slapping the canvas, glove against glove. It's the playwright's music, delineating every scene, every beat. A brilliant noise that seduces from start to finish.

THE ROYALE is a nod to the career of Jack Johnson, the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908 -1915) and a man who delighted not only in his spectacular fights, beating white and black alike but also in breaking the unwritten rules of race.

First time professional actor Aygemang Clay is a revelation as Ramirez's black champion, Jay "The Sport" Jackson. A magnificent physique, a brilliant smile, an intimidating glare, and the chops of a veteran.

Gregg Weiner is perfectly cast as fight promoter Max, long time hand holder of Jay, reassuring that white men with guns will do no harm.

Purley "Fresh Fish" Hawkins, Jay's opponent in the first scene and later his friend and sparring partner, is played by Ryan George. He, too, is the epitome of a fighter...and actor.

Andre Gainey is Wynton, Jay's trainer and survivor of a thousand bouts. Listen for his tale of THE ROYAL and think about the men, the blindfolds, the broken bottles and the last man standing.

And then there's Nina, played by Shein Mompremier, another first time professional and another well on her way to a great career in the theatre.

There's no doubt that Marco Ramirez has written a brilliantly taut piece. And Joe Adler's insights have made this an in your face masterpiece. No more secrets will be spilled here; just that this is original theatre as it should be.

Rudi Goblen created the movement and rhythm on the realistic fight arena by Lyle Baskin. Lighting by Jeff Quinn, sound by Matt Corey and costumes by Ellis Tillman. Bert Rodriques coached the boxing.

THE ROYALE runs through June 26 at GableStage, the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. 305-445-1119 http://www.gablestage.org

Photo: Aygemang Clay

Photo Credit: George Schiavone

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