LOGAN boxers from a Browns Plains gym have become the accidental stars of the theatre.
MBA Group Fitness and Boxing favourites joined actors for a half-hour on-stage warm up leading into the La Boite Theatre Company produced, Helpmann award-nominated opening night staging of Prize Fighter at Logan Entertainment Centre on Thursday, September 13.
The crew included Australian super heavy weight champ Jai Dennis, who flies out to the Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina in a fortnight, elite girl fighter April Tumahai, a twice state champion and young up and comers Jackson Bray and Ra Herbert, both junior champions aged 13.
The warm-up helped set the scene at the LEC, transformed into a live boxing ring while audience members took their seats ‘ringside’.
MBA coach Mack Utai said young sportsmen and women treated the warm up like any they had in the gym.
If they looked cool, calm and collected they were excited too.
“I was blown away when we got the invite,” Mr Utai said,
“They were excited too. They’re good kids all of them. And I’ve got many many more like them back the gym all working hard at what they do.”
Mr Utai said most of the crew would return tonight, Friday, September 14, to see the show as members of the audience.
“They’re looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
- SEE THE FILM: MEET THE BOXERS FROM MBA GROUP FITNESS AND BOXING BROWNS PLAINS
Prize Fighter is the tale of a young Congolese boxer preparing for a national title fight as he battles a rival in the ring and demons from his boy soldier past.
- SEE THE FILM: LA BOITE ACTOR MARGI BROWN ASH TALK ABOUT THE SHOW
It brings Australian Congalese playwright Future D Fidel home for two performances of the play in Logan.
Prize Fighter is Fidel’s first full length play. It premiered at La Boite and Brisbane Festival in 2105. It was nominated for best new Australian work and the production for best play at the 2016 Helpmann Awards. The first was on Thursday September 13. The second is tonight, Friday, September 14.
- TO COME: DID YOU GO TO THE OPENING NIGHT OF PRIZE FIGHTER. OUR GALLERY OF PICS IS ON THE WAY