The Watford Palace Theatre stage has been transformed into a boxing ring to welcome Bitch Boxer, a one woman play by Hertfordshire local Charlie Josephine. Directed by Prime Isaac, the story follows East London girl Chloe Jackson in the approach to the 2012 Olympics, the first Olympics in which women were allowed to participate in boxing. Jackson, whose stomping ground is Leytonstone and Stratford, sees this as a sign of destiny, and is determined to become one of those women. As she takes on an intense training regime, her life is spun off centre as in the midst of this sporting pressure she meets her first love, and two months later suffers the loss of her father. The scene is set for an emotional rollercoaster which tugs at the heart.
At a tight one hour, this is a sizzling show which moves with pace and alacrity. There are some wonderful moments of stage symbolism, such as the punch bag made of shirts and the boxer's robe descending from the heavens, which bring a sense of theatricality to what could otherwise be a challenging slice of social realism. The atmosphere created by the lighting and sound is very much like that of a sporting arena: tense, dramatic and filled with the sweaty anticipation of physical action.
Chloe Jackson is played by Jodie Campbell from the popular BBC comedy drama Boarders. She's a fireball of energy from the moment she steps into the boxing ring. Whipping out a skipping rope, she immediately demonstrates the fitness energy and determination anyone trying to be successful in the world of boxing has to have at core. The story develops into a sensitive exploration of the pressures faced by a queer young black woman, a demographic woefully underrepresented in our cultural storytelling. It’s wonderful to see her story played out with such sensitivity and subtlety, presenting a fully rounded character rather than a two dimensional stereotype.
Campbell mixes intense acting with moments of lightness and comedy, and a physical control which is exemplified in her dancing, and most powerfully in the careful choreography used to re-create the boxing scenes. In each one of her punches, weaves and crouches you feel the presence of her opponent bearing down upon her.
It’s great to see this play return to the Watford Palace stage 10 years after its first performance. It certainly still packs a powerful punch.
BITCH BOXER
WATFORD PALACE THEATRE
28 February – 9 March
Written by Charlie Josephine
Directed by Prime Isaac
Movement Direction by Mateus Daniel
Design by Hazel Low
Lighting Design by Jessie Addinall
Sound Design by Mwen
Press Night: 05 March 2025
Special In-Conversation with Jodie Campbell and International Boxing Champion, Shannon Ryan: 06 March 2025
Tickets: From £12
Available online at https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/events/bitch-boxer/ or please contact the Box Office on 01923 225671 to make arrangements.
