PARRSBORO, N.S. – Chasing Champions is coming back to Parrsboro’s Ship’s Company Theatre.
Chasing Champions, that originated at Ship’s Company Theatre in the summer of 2016, will return to Kipawo on Oct. 18 to 20 before going to Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing Theatre from Oct. 24 to 27, St. Anne’s University at Church Point from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 and Nov. 7 to 9 at Windsor’s Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre before going to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa from Nov. 13 to 24 as part of the NAC English theatre season.
When it debuted, Chasing Champions became lovingly known as ‘the show about boxing.’ It was a regular occurrence for locals to see the actors training in the town: whether it be running around Parrsboro or sparring and doing pushups on the lawn. The hard work inside and outside the theatre paid off as Chasing Champions went on to be presented by Eastern Front Theatre in Halifax and then won six Theatre Nova Scotia Merritt Awards including Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor and more.
Chasing Champions details the life of Sam Langford, a Nova Scotia boxer who is considered by many sport historians as the greatest fighter who ever lived. Yet many people have never heard of him. Until now. Chasing Champions is the moving story of Langford’s battles against a hostile culture and the machinations of a sport that repeatedly denied him a shot at the title of world champion.
A man of grace and fortitude, the 5’7” Langford fought from lightweight to heavyweight, beating legendary fighters in each class. He died blind and penniless in Harlem in 1956. Chasing Champions examines the life of this unsung hero – perhaps the greatest athlete never known.
Chasing Champions stars Jacob Sampson who is also the writer of the script. Sampson is happy the shows life continues on, stating: “It feels pretty special to bring this piece to so many different communities across Nova Scotia. I never imagined my script would connect with so many people! This tour will definitely help make Langford a household name and pay tribute to his legacy.”
Chasing Champions features Nova Scotia actors Micha Cromwell, Jacob Sampson, Marty Burt, and Zach Faye directed by Ron Jenkins with the production design team of Garrett Barker, Leigh Ann Vardy, Corwin Ferguson, Cathleen McCormack and Joe Micallef.
“I am quite proud of this show and what director Ron Jenkins has done with Jacob’s script. This is the first time Ship’s is bringing a show to the National Arts Centre. I truly hope our hometown crowds can come out to see it before we head out on tour,” outgoing theatre artistic producer Natasha MacLellan said in a news release.
