“I see a boy with a glittering future in the game, ‘cos you’ve got class, real class”
Pulsating with the rhythmic energies of blues, reggae and boxing, On the Ropes is an uplifting musical drama telling the extraordinary story of Vernon Vanriel who arrived in the UK aged 6 with his family as part of the Windrush Generation, and rose to prominence as one of the most charismatic and influential Black British boxers of the 70s and 80s.
In 2005, having lived in North London for 43 years, Vernon found himself trapped in Jamaica; homeless, penniless and denied access to medical care for a heart condition. What followed was a bare-knuckle fight for his right to citizenship with the British Home Office.
On the Ropes richly fuses music, poetry and the duck and weave of the boxing ring into a contemporary drama, that is ultimately a celebration of how courage, dignity and a fighting spirit can triumph over prejudice and injustice.
The auditorium doors will open 20 minutes before the performance starts. Please note for reasons of health and safety and audience enjoyment the venue cannot admit latecomers.
ACCESS PERFORMANCES
Captioned: Fri 20 Jan 7.30pm
Audio described: Fri 27 Jan 7.30pm (with touch tour at 6.30pm)
2h 20m (incl. interval)
6th January, 2023
4th February, 2023
12+
By: Dougie Blaxland and Vernon Vanriel
Director: Anastasia Osei-Kuffour
Cast list: Mensah Bediako, Ashley D. Gayle, Amber James
Set: Zahra Mansouri
Costume: Zahra Mansouri
Lighting: Holly Ellis
Sound: Gareth Fry
Location: Fringe/Off West End Railway station: Seven Sisters Bus numbers: (Finsbury Park) 210
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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