Originally a book by Charlotte Josephine, this award-winning play is set in 2012, the year of the first Olympics to include ladies boxing.
Chloe Jackson, 21, from Leytonstone, London, is one fight away from qualifying for the games. Chloe’s real fight is to be a woman in a man’s world, not just in the ring but also her emotionally challenging life.
She is grappling with both the death of her father/trainer and her relationship with boyfriend Jamie.
Holly Augustine gave a sweat-and-blood performance in what must be the most energetic monologue in theatre. She was a clenched fist of frustration throughout, shadow boxing her own anger, with the occasional glimpse of a tender heart pounding beneath her vest. Indeed there were moments when pugilistic clichés rang like the bell – “You’ve got to fight for the things you love” – and Chloe’s portrayal did strike an unfortunate resemblance to comedy character Lee Nelson.
A standing ovation at the end of the contest did, however, attest to Chloe’s victory over the punters, who clearly warmed to the big-hearted female behind the jabs and punches.
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