As a Newcastle theatre prepares for the world premiere of Champion, a drama featuring Muhammad Ali’s famous visit to the region, it is inviting people to share their own memories and any photographs they might have from that time.
The new play, by Ishy Din, is based around the great occasion in 1977 when the world champion boxer made the trip here from the States – which most people never expected to happen – and tells it from the point of view of one local family. Champion will make its debut at Live Theatre on the Quayside on February 13 for a near three-week run.
In the run-up to its opening night, the theatre is keen to hear from anyone who recalls the visit, or perhaps even met Ali, so that it can share memories – as well as images – online and on social media. It says: “If you remember the visit, were there in person, met Ali or if he was one of your heroes, then Live Theatre would love to hear from you.”
Whether or not they have any first-hand tales, most people in the North East will have heard of the remarkable story of Ali‘s visit, at a time the heavyweight champ was at the height of his fame. It came about simply because a local boxing fan invited him.
Johnny Walker, from South Tyneside, set out to persuade his hero to come to South Shields, which he hoped would help raise money for the local boxing club. And against all the odds he succeeded.
Nobody had really expected him to, so when the world’s highest-paid sportsman made the journey over in the summer of 1977, people were caught so off-guard there was hardly anybody at Newcastle Airport to welcome him. Word soon spread and Ali – known as ‘The Greatest’ – drew huge crowds during his four-day visit, during which he spent time inspiring youngsters at the boxing club and, resplendent in a white suit, also took the opportunity to have his new marriage blessed at a local mosque.
Award-winning writer Ishy – who is from Middlesbrough and worked as a taxi driver before publishing his debut play Snookered in 2012 – was a youngster at the time. He has said: “The Ali fights are seared into my memory. I didn’t grasp his achievements or politics, I was simply swept up in the collective excitement in our house.
“For a young Pakistani Muslim growing up in the North East, Ali was the brightest star in the universe. My play seeks to capture the essence of Ali’s visit which underscored the inter-connectedness of people and places and showed how a global icon could touch lives in the most unexpected settings.”
His family drama features brothers Azeem and Billy whose lives are turned upside down when the boxer comes to town and it raises questions of identity, community and personal fights. Jack McNamara, artistic director at Live Theatre, said: “It’s amazing how a cultural event from nearly 50 years ago remains so clearly etched in people’s minds here.
“Since announcing this show, everyone we talk to has a story about it or knows someone who does. We are keen to gather these together so that the story is kept alive far beyond the walls of our theatre.”
Anyone with photographs or memories to share is asked to email info@live.org.uk with the information. Champion, whose cast includes Jack Robertson, Daniel Zareie and Christina Berriman Dawson, will run at Live Theatre from February 13 to March 8 and tickets can be booked here.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/geordies-invited-share-memories-muhammad-30889169
