As they file into the subterranean Studio Two of Dalston’s Arcola, theatre-goers may almost fall into a literal boxing ring. What follows is the fight of main character Chloe Jackson’s life: a theatrical tussle laying bare gender, race, sexuality and personhood.
Charlie Josephine’s play received glowing praise in 2012 during its initial run at the Soho Theatre, before a revival at the Watford Palace Theatre last year. The fresh production, directed by Prime Isaac which reimagines Chloe as Black and queer rather than straight and white, deepens the complexity of the piece.
Josephine’s tight, lyrical prose blends East End vernacular with spoken‑word poetics and careful rhymes, beautifully delivered by Jodie Campbell (BBC’s Boarders) in her theatrical debut.
The play is set in 2012, the year women were finally able to box in the Olympics in Stratford. “Throw a stone and I’d hit it”, says Leytonstone native Chloe.
It was the last sport to allow women to compete, and the decision did not come without controversy. Cuba, a country known for its boxing, went as far as to forbid women from running to qualify.
Cuban coach Pedro Roque said women should be “showing off their beautiful faces, not getting punched in the face”.
Other criticisms of the changes included that women could only compete across three weight classes, compared to the men’s 10. These groups were strictly segregated and had gaps between them, meaning some top athletes didn’t have a weight class to compete in.
Despite teething issues, Team GB’s Nicola Adams made history as she brought home the first Olympic gold for women’s boxing in the flyweight category.
Bitch Boxer is, of course, a fictionalised version of this tale.
But even though the story isn’t strictly true, for writer Charlie Josephine it was a deeply personal creation which allowed her to “fall in love” with boxing.
“I wrote Bitch Boxer to give myself a part to play”, Josephine said. “It changed my life”.
In a 2013 interview for the British Council Showcase, Josephine added: “It’s very physical, it’s a very sweaty piece.
“She [Chloe] has got this real front, she’s quite cocky. But you see glimpses of her vulnerability running throughout.
“I trained at Islington Boxing Club in North London as training for the piece while writing it, and fell madly in love with the sport”.
Arcola Theatre
Dalston
E8 3DL
Until 14 March 2026
