Reimagining the epic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman that took place in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974. Rematch takes a sporting story at its heart and creates an enlightening, passionate, emotional, engaging and totally unique experience, allowing fans to reexperience this incredible story first-hand.
The fight is surrounded by a reimagined music festival – Zaire 74 which is brought to life through a 9 piece live band – The Zaire 74 All-Stars.
Steve Bunce called it a Night of Pure Wonder, The Times, ‘A Knockout’.
The event took 22,000 fans over 78 performances, back in time to Zaire, 1974 on a time travel experience like no other. A 30,000 sq ft warehouse in London was transformed, split into multiple areas allowing audiences to explore everything Kinshasa had to offer, and feeling a part of the story.
From the marketplace selling Congolese street food to the Hotel Kinshasa, where Western journalists discussed fight predictions around the grand piano. The experience took audiences through various tracks allowing them to follow Ali, Foreman, Don King as well as locals of the time. Taking in the music, the food, the fashion and all of the circus and hype surrounding the build-up to the fight. From iconic speeches to the sweat of the training camps. Audiences mixed with local political activists and took lessons in Lingala, all culminating in the music and boxing live!
In conceiving the show, the production took a conscious decision to tell the story from the Congolese perspective. This, rather than the Western media’s take, which had widely been reported on already. This gave the show a fresh, inclusive and intimate tone, and allowed it to integrate a more balanced and diverse set of characters to dramatise the experience, whilst offering a new perspective on the historical events.
A totally unique take on a sporting event, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch brought in an extremely broad audience ranging from 2 – 90 years old. In addition, 51% of ticket holders were female. This proved that overlaying an entertainment lens on what could have been considered a male skewed story, attracted a far more gender balanced audience. Additionally, 59% of audiences identified as non-white, and 23% had never been to a theatrical show of any kind. This was another enormous win for the event, creating an inclusive and diverse show and environment. Rematch’s company mission is to connect generations and communities, and we feel the show truly achieved this goal.
85% of audiences said they had a strong emotional response to the show, and 95% said then went on to discuss the show with friends and family. With over 60 pieces of press the event garnered reach of over 1 billion impressions across 60+ pieces of media, 50+ influencers and high-profile celebrity attendees.
The show has attracted attention from all over the world, and is now poised to go on tour internationally.
Partners
Authentic Brands Brands Group / Muhammad Ali Enterprises – Licensor for all Muhammad Ali IP and rights
Sponsors : Commercial and VIK partnerships
- Everlast
- Marshall Amplification
- Shepherd Neame
- Zildjian
- Yamaha
Charity Partner : Malaika are a UK based charity that fund the development of schools and female focussed programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Partners :
- ESPN – Fight & cultural footage licensor
- Fever – Ticketing
- Mesmer – Video Design
- Production Place – Technical Production
- Beam Lighting – Lighting Design
- Aura – Marketing
- Looks Like Me – Casting
- Full Fat PR – Entertainment Publicity
- Matchfit PR – Sport Publicity
- Centre For Sport & Human Rights – Special Gala / Fundraiser partner