What do boxing and storytelling have in common? How can your experiences and connection to boxing tell your story?
“Mendoza’s contribution to fighting was to transform it […] he brought grace and skill into a sport where neither had been much valued” - Magriel, East End boxer Daniel Mendoza’s biographer
Come and find out in this series of creative workshops in which you will explore and develop techniques to shape and perform your own story, using the art of boxing in the East End as our inspiration. The workshops will start by looking at the life of the celebrated East End prizefighter Daniel Mendoza, whose technique revolutionised boxing in the late 18th century. As a Jewish boxer, Mendoza experienced and challenged antisemitism throughout his life. Mendoza’s body was buried in Queen Mary's Jewish cemetery and there is a plaque on campus commemorating his life. With Mendoza in the ring with us, we will explore the craft of writing and performing your own story in solo form.
By the end of the workshops, you will have the beginnings of a new creative piece coming out of your own personal experience.
The workshops will be led by actor and writer Jake Boston, whose acclaimed solo performance Bare Knuckle recently toured to New York, Edinburgh and London. In Bare Knuckle Jake takes us into the world of bare-knuckle fighting through stories of his childhood growing up the son of a champion fighter, his father’s desire to pass the title of champion on to him, and Jake’s ongoing journey to find himself.
All are welcome and no prior experience of boxing or performance is necessary! Based at the Queen Mary campus, Phakama are a small yet highly ambitious participatory arts company that have storytelling and collaboration at the heart. Our executive team is supported by a diverse group of Associate Artists (such as Jake Boston), Young Creatives, Youth Board and Board. We are all driven by the common desire to make high quality work that is fuelled by the diversity of those involved.
Dates of workshops (all take place 6.30-7.45pm): 29 March
6 April
13 April
All workshops will be online and are free. Contact Bibi at bibif@projectphakama.org to book a place and get involved in Fighting Talk.