BIB Reviews: On The Ropes By Vernon Vanriel and Dougie Blaxland (Theatre)

Photo credit © Steve Gregson.

On The Ropes is an uplifting musical autobiographical drama that tells the life story of Vernon Vanriel, a Black Britsh boxer, who arrived in the UK aged 6 with his family as part of the Windrush Generation and got caught up in the Windrush scandal. It’s a powerful piece written by playwright Dougie Blaxland in collaboration with the real Vernon Vanriel.

After living in North London for 43 years, Vernon found himself trapped in Jamaica; homeless, penniless, and denied access to medical care for a heart condition; what followed was a bare-knuckle fight for his right to citizenship with the British Home Office.

Structured like a boxing match, and told in 12 rounds featuring key moments in Vernon's life, .the play takes us into Veron Vanriel's (played by Mensah Bediako) life from childhood, to dealing with mental health issues and his long emotional journey to return back to the UK, his home. The ring is used as a metaphor, showing the constant defeats and challenges Vandriel faces as well as the victories. Chorus members Amber James and Ashley D Gayle gave us an incredible performance alongside Mensah Bediako, playing the people close to Vernon and the various people he crossed paths.

Music is infused throughout the show, filled with Vernon’s favorite Reggae tunes. It had me bopping my head and vibing.

On The Ropes is a celebration of how courage, dignity, and a fighting spirit can triumph over prejudice and injustice. This show tells of one person’s narrative of the Hostile Environment policy but we are all aware that there are thousands of people with stories like this. They all deserve to be told and this is the start.

It runs until 4 Feb at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. Book here. Share with friends and family.