Kathmandu

An impressively talented cast of Golden Boy delves into the story of Joe Bonaparte, an aspiring violinist who quits music to pursue a career as a boxer for fame and money. Set in 1937 in New York City, the play convincingly shows its hero’s conflict between his love for art and attraction towards a lucrative boxing career despite it being a dangerous and dark world.

Clifford Odets’ 1937 play gets justice as director Deborah Merola effectively brings forth the tension — as her protagonist is torn between his choices — by transforming a bar-and-lounge into a 1930’s boxing gym and arena.

Joe Bonaparte (Amrit Dahal) is a 21-year-old son of Mr Bonaparte (Rajkumar Pudasaini), an Italian immigrant. Joe is a talented violin player, who transforms into an aggressive boxer and “a fighting machine”, a lucrative product for his ambitious manager Tom Moody (Alejandro Merola). Romantically linked to these two characters is Lorna Moon (Namrataa Shrestha), Moody’s girlfriend. Eddie Fuseli (Divya Dev) is a gangster obsessed with the boxer. There is also Joe’s devoted and loving boxing trainer Tokio (Saroj Aryal).

The 2.15-hour-long play tests your patience due to its length at times, but is able to hold your attention most of the time.

Dahal, who has debuted in the lead role, rules the ring of Golden Boy with his impressive transformation from uncertainty to a fierce drive for boxing. He brings that emotional honesty whether he is showing the sensitive musician in him or brandishing the arrogance and brutality of the prizefighting champion, or exploring his romantic side with Shrestha.

Shrestha is beautiful, takes you to the 1930s era with her hair, make-up and costumes — be it the suits or floral tops, not a single costume of hers goes unnoticed as she changes into a new design in almost every other scene. She also shines as Lorna Moon, the self-described “tramp from New Jersey”, caught between the dual role — Tom Moody’s mistress and Joe’s lover.

Dev plays the gangster obsessed with Joe with confidence and power — he is dangerous and controlling. Aryal leaves an impression as tender trainer Tokio.

But it is Alejandro and Pudasaini, who steal the show with their acting prowess. Every time Alejandro appears on stage, he powerfully brings Moody’s self-doubt and hunger for power. Equally effective is Pudasaini as the heavily accented Mr Bonaparte — bringing the decent, humorous, gentle and devastated father of Joe. He makes the audience get that real feel of conflict between art and fame, and brutal reality of boxing.

The other supporting cast — Sajag Rana as Mr Carp, Bikash Gurung as Roxy Gottlieb, Hemanta Chalise as Siggie, Shanti Giri as Anna and Prakesh Sindhuliya as Frank Bonaparte among others are just the right choice.

In the minimalist set design, most of the dramatic scenes take place in the boxing ring, while a few in the Bonaparte home. A live sparring from Naxal Boxing Club during the intermission is a treat to watch — getting the real feel of a boxing match as the play does not actually show Joe’s fights.

The boxing gloves of 1930s (provided by Yaqui Lopez — World Boxing Hall of Fame fighter, of the Fat City Boxing Club in Stockton, California), posters from Lopez’s gym, Dawa Steven Sherpa’s

stage design, Milan Nepal’s somewhat noir lighting along with music bring the period atmosphere to the play.

The Nepali cast along with New York actor Alejandro handle Odets’ “accented and difficult language” of 1930s naturally, doing justice to the American classic.

A production of One World Theatre and Highly High Entertainment, the play is being staged at Karma Bar and Lounge, Tripureshwore from September 1 to 10 at 5:30 pm except on September 4.

The Himalayan Times is the exclusive media partner of the production.