It was an occasion when I was just 8, and was allowed to stay up and watch, and now they’re ready to rumble again in London’s jungle.
Muhammad Ali’s world heavyweight championship fight with George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire, on October 30, 1974 was a one-off global event.
Only it wasn’t a one-off… here we are reliving it through the Rumble in the Jungle Rematch.
In the Dock X warehouse in Canada Quay.
It’s billed as an immersive theatrical retelling of an event that transcended sport.
And became a cultural, political and musical focus in which we can now participate in 2023.
Get on, get on up
The music fan will love getting their groove on and tap their feet.
To a soul-stirring blend of African, North American, and Latin melodies.
From the likes of James Brown, Sister Sledge, Celia Cruz, and Miriam Makeba live!
The theatre troupe will whip up the hype ahead of the fight.
Listen to Ali’s legendary press conferences and gruelling training.
And meet the locals who chanted Ali Bomaye (Ali, kill him).
As he went on his training runs in the Zaire countryside.
Best seats on the house
Before you take ringside seats.
And experience the big fight and Ali’s rope-a-dope tricks.
Through precision performance and breath-taking physical theatre.
And just like back in 1974 when an Ali fight brought in everybody.
From grannies to kids the Rumble in the Jungle rematch is a real family affair.
Now with tickets costing £29.50 and the show running until December 9 Rumble in the Jungle rematch is one to add to your London diary.
A thesps’ playground
Of course, the Big Smoke boasts all human life and a troupe of thesps out there to put on a show about it.
Whether it’s the West End and say, Beautiful, the Carole King Story.
Or another guilty pleasure the Son and Heir has lined up for us.
Because he knows that what use is sitting all alone in your room, come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret old chum… and I love a Cabaret.