ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | Shadow Boxing
Daniel Newton in Shadow Boxing. Picture: Fahiem Stellenboom★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Penny
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
There are a lot of one person shows fighting for attention at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. Shadow Boxing, written by James Gaddas and performed by Daniel Newton, surely has to be a contender for the best of them all.
Newton performs on a mostly bare stage, with just a punchbag, pair of boxing gloves and an old bucket to set the scene. And this is all that he needs. They manage to symbolise both his character Flynn's isolation and loneliness but also his seemingly total immersion in the world of boxing. These few props also become characters, representing his fleeting relationships - everything comes back to boxing.
Flynn's story flashes back to a childhood spent being bullied at school and watching his father, a boxer well past his prime and with no great talent, getting battered in the ring. This has clearly had a profound effect on him yet Flynn goes on to box himself, obsessed with being the best as quickly as he can so as to escape the shadow of his father by achieving greatness, although there is a lot about this world he inhabits that is at odds with his personality. I won't explain further as this plays out so effectively in the show and provides one of the most dramatic and impactful endings that you are likely to see.
The writing is intelligent with a very clear narrative, flowing effortlessly. Newton delivers poetic words of wisdom but in a fighter's vernacular, allowing the audience to tune into either side of the delivery or appreciate both together.
Newton's performance, directed by Mdu Kweyama, is outstanding. He is visceral in his anger, raw in emotion and inhabits the character so well that it felt as if he was telling his own story. The story is delivered with well-crafted pauses, giving the audience a chance to reflect. Newton has a great physical presence, when he offers boxing moves he is completely convincing, and when he wishes he could dance instead of fight and performs a few steps, he is a little hesitant which makes it all the more emotional and a reflection of the sadness at his core.
There are a lot of one person shows at the Fringe. This is the show that everybody should see. It will stay with you for a long time as it truly is a perfect piece of theatre.
At Assembly George Square Studios until 20 August.
