'When that bell rings, your life is entirely in your hands.'
1869. Deep in the heart of Victorian London is a theatre where only the strongest survive. Controlled by men and constrained by corsets, four very different women are drawn into the dark underground world of female boxing; each finds an unexpected freedom in the ring. As their lives begin to intertwine their journey takes us from grand drawing rooms to rowdy backstreet pubs where the women fight inequality as well as each other. But with the final showdown approaching, only one can become the Lady Boxing Champion of the World...
Fresh from a sold-out run at Southwark Playhouse, Joy Wilkinson (current writer for Doctor Who) brings to life this little-known but important part of the City’s history. Featuring an ensemble cast and thrilling live boxing matches, The Sweet Science of Bruising is staged in the electrifying atmosphere of the world’s oldest grand music hall located in London’s East End, Wilton’s Music Hall.
★★★★★ DAILY EXPRESS
★★★★ THE TIMES
★★★★ THE ARTS DESK
★★★★ LONDONTHEATRE1
★★★★ REVIEWS HUB
★★★★ LONDON BOX OFFICE
★★★★ STAGE REVIEW
★★★★ THE SPY IN THE STALLS
Cast
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Cast
OWEN BRENMAN - Professor Charlie Sharp
CELESTE DODWELL - Violet Hunter
JESSICA REGAN - Matilda 'Matty' Blackwell
EMMA MCDONALD - Anna Lamb
FIONA SKINNER - Polly Stokes
JANE HOW - Aunt George
ALICE KERRIGAN - Emily
WILF SCOLDING - Gabriel Lamb
TOM LORCAN - Paul Stokes
ASHLEY COOK - Doctor James Bell
Creative Team
JOY WILKINSON - Playwright
KIRSTY PATRICK WARD - Director
KATE WATERS - Fight Director
ANNA REID - Designer
MAX PERRYMENT - Sound Designer and Composer
PETER HARRISON - Lighting Designer
NATASHA HARRISON - Additional Movement
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Twitter: @Troupe_Theatre
Facebook: @TroupeTheatreCompany
Age recommendation: 12+ (Contains scenes of a violent nature)
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 20 minute interval