‘Bitch Boxer’
I wrote ‘Bitch Boxer’ to give myself a part to play. It changed my life. We opened at the Big Belly, Underbelly, Edinburgh Fringe 2012. We did two National Tours, two runs at London’s Soho Theatre, another Edinburgh run as part of the British Council Showcase, and an International Tour.
Team: Directed by Bryony Shanahan. Performed by myself, and then later Holly Aston. Designed by Seth Rook Williams (lights) and Daniel Foxsmith (sound). Script support Sarah Dickenson. Movement support by Imogen Knight and coaches at Islington Boxing Club. Photo: Alex Brenner.
Awards: Soho Theatre Young Writers Award 2012. Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh Season 2012. British Council Showcase 2013. Holden Street Theatre’s Award 2013. Clonmel Theatre Award 2014. Adelaide Fringe Award 2014.
Interview for the British Council Showcase.
Print: Published by Bloomsbury.
Personal: What was hard: The nerves, every single day. The success of it was unexpected and overwhelming. People assuming I’d done it all alone, and not praising the whole team. It was physically exhausting and I beat myself up if i didn’t have a “perfect” show. What I’m most proud of: Making a show that was full of heart and performing it with guts. Learning to box (and going on to win a National Title!) Visiting boxing clubs whilst on tour and inviting them to the show. What I learnt: The strength it takes to be vulnerable. How to listen to an audience whilst performing. The nuances in tone required to keep an audience with you. That theatre is a living breathing thing, it’s not predicable or controllable. That I can write, that I can act, that I deserve to be here.