The boxer–trainer, actor–director relationship: an exploration of creative freedom

Abstract

The similarities between the way performance knowledge is transmitted for martial and theatrical artists have been examined by Phillip Zarrilli. Zarrilli argues that strips of codified behaviour present artists with restricted fields of choice, a precise vocabulary of techniques and strictly prescribed parameters within which to operate. We extend this argument to include combat athletes, particularly boxers, proposing a closer examination of choice, agency and creative freedom within the boxer–trainer and actor–director relationship. Drawing upon autoethnographic data, and participant interviews, we explore how trainers, boxers, directors and actors talk about creative freedom as it relates to their relationships. This co-authored article uses two discrete voices to explore this creative freedom: P. Solomon Lennox writes from a boxer’s perspective and George Rodosthenous from a director’s point of view.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor Richard Schechner and Professor Jonathan Pitches for their useful feedback in the development of this article, Brendan Ingle and his boxers, Dr Alkistis Olympiou for introducing the Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire CART-Q (developed by Jowett, 2004) to the cast of Hippolytus, the three actors who were interviewed for this research project, the anonymous readers for their positive feedback, the editorial board of Sport in Society and our production editor for their cooperation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.