Darlington’s Jabberwocky Market steps into the ring for its latest theatrical offering

JABBERWOCKY Market's next theatre event offers the surprising concept of putting a hip-hop poet into a boxing ring as we watch a young man growing up, trying to impress his dad and dealing with failure and success. The young performer, Sean Mahoney, is a youtube star who has won accolades such as Literary Death Match, no less than twice and has performed on Channel 4’s Random Acts.

His one-man show, Until You Hear That Bell, is all about boxing as he grew up and how it helped form his world-view. He performs it in boxing gyms and sports centres around the country and it will be presented at Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy, at the Northern Echo arena, on Saturday. It’s a fascinating opportunity to see theatre in a real boxing gym – I imagine it’ll be a great experience for fans of both, and great for people who are just curious.

Simon Harrison, from the academy says: "The unusual setting will hopefully add something to the event, just as the show will lend a new voice to Darlington's strong boxing community."

Mahoney says: “A few weeks ago I was in Hull for the Heads Up festival – it’s their version of Jabberwocky Market. I loved it. The way they say hello is like 'L-O'. It was my first location on tour and I was pretty nervous. The audience included a lot of theatre-makers and boxers. I couldn't ask for a better mix of people. The moments that felt important held more weight than they've ever done, almost to the point of hurting me to say them. If the show had not have well here, I don't know if I could have had the confidence to perform at another gym. I can’t wait to see how Darlington matches up.

“A workshop I ran with the teenagers was great too. We played games, did a little Q&A and I fell in love with how honest they were in talking about the most important five minutes of their lives.”

The Jabberbar will be in action on Saturday and there are workshops at the Dolphin Centre on Sunday at 2pm. 8pm.

Box Office: jabberwockymarket.org.uk or 07583-655018 or at the Dolphin Centre