The Royale
By Marco Ramirez
Directed by Tyrone Phillips
Featuring: Jamal James, Reginald André Jackson, Dee Dee Batteast, Jaylon Muchison & Brian Mani
Plot Synopsis
In the early 1900s, Jay Jackson, known in boxing circles as “The Sport,” is primed to become the first Black heavyweight champion of the world. It’s an opportunity to open doors for himself, and all the potential prize-fighters who come after him- most immediately, his young could-be protégé, Fish. But what is the price of bringing those barriers down? And who is reaping the rewards of his sacrifice? What do his accomplishments mean to those who come after, and what do they mean to the safety of his family in an intolerant time? A graceful, theatrical play punctuated with percussion and movement; boxing as dance.
Director's Note by Tyrone Phillips
The moment I finished reading The Royale for the first time, I recognized what a masterpiece of theatre it was and felt it should be celebrated in the American canon. I was drawn to the movement it’s heartbeat required, to the aspirations of the characters, and to the powerful history lesson and testimony to the life and times of Jack Johnson.
America has an obsession with race that has been prevalent since the founding of our country and many of our Black everyday heroes and symbols of progress have been forgotten in history due to white supremacy and the lack of documentation. Today, there is no question that Jack Johnson was one of the best athletes of all time and that his personality was “ahead of his time” but why was he not recognized for his greatness while he was alive?
The Royale is a complex story about striving to be the best at your craft and fighting the obstacles seen and unseen in order to achieve the greatness within you. It explores the highs and the lows caused by living in the public eye, healing and overcoming past traumatic experiences, and beckons us to always remember our roots.
By taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate the legacy of Jack Johnson, my hope is that you will engage with this living monument as we right a wrong made centuries ago.
About the Life of Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson, or the “Galveston Giant,” was the inspiration for The Royale, and for its hero Jay Jackson. The real-life Jack Johnson was one of nine children born to ex-slaves in Texas. He left home at 16 and eventually began boxing against longshoremen for a grand prize purse of $1.50. Moving on to bigger and more attention grabbing fights, Johnson won the heavyweight boxing championship for the first time in 1908, and carried that title until 1915, all the while facing off against a string of white champion challengers in their attempt to regain the title for the “great white hope.” Johnson won “The Fight of the Century” against former champion James J. Jeffries on July 4, 1910, which caused celebration and riots across the country, and eventually led to the banning of the filmed fight and all other prizefight films until 1940.
Johnson was famous for his quick tongue and turn of phrase, once famously saying “I made a lot of mistakes out of the ring, but I never made any in it.” And his personal life did indeed have its share of controversy. In 1912, Johnson was arrested for a violation of the Mann Act of 1910 when he crossed state lines with his white girlfriend. Johnson went on to flee to Canada and Europe upon his conviction, but eventually returned to serve his yearlong prison sentence. In 2018, Johnson received a posthumous presidential pardon after years of attempts by his family and the boxing community to clear his name.
Features & Reviews
APT Stages Boxing Hero's Story by Jonathan Shipley, The Wisconsin State Journal, July 15,2023
Director Tyrone Phillips sheds light on real-life legend Jack Johnson in APT's 'The Royale' by Isaac Trussoni, Madison 365, June 15, 2023
APT's "The Royale," a star turn for Jamal James, pulls no punches by Lindsay Christians, The Cap Times, June 16, 2023
"The Royale" at American Players Theatre is taut and action-packed by Gwendolyn Rice, Isthmus, June 27, 2023
APT'S "The Royale" speaks to the legacy of iconic boxer Jack Johnson through humor, passion, and struggle by Isaac Trussoni, Madison 365, June 27, 2023
Mulitmedia & Video
Portable Prologue on The Royale
Jamal James on APT's The Royale
Things to Discuss
What is your favorite moment in the play? What about that moment resonated with you?
What is it that makes a cultural icon? What responsibilities should cultural icons have towards their fans and communities?
How do the stylized fights and violence affect you as an audience member? Do you agree with playwright Marco Ramirez that this staging makes it bloodier than you’ve ever seen boxing before, because it’s all in your head?
How do we intentionally, or unintentionally, cause change in the world around us through our choices to stand out or stay safe?
Credits:
Liz Lauren