Review: BITCH BOXER at Arcola Theatre

Chloe (Jodie Campbell) is a young woman whose father runs a gym primarily aimed at training and developing young boxers. She is eager to make her own mark in the sport, which has hitherto been the exclusive preserve of male exponents. As the London 2012 Olympics loom, her ambitions and focus are given a much needed boost when it is announced that women will be allowed to compete in the sport for the first time.

Delivered as a snappy, one-woman monologue, we start with some adept skipping-rope work inside the boxing ring, which forms the focal point for the play. As Chloe slumps exhaustedly on the corner ropes after her training session, she begins to reveal herself to us through the sharing of her day-to-day life and other more significant events. First off, she recounts locking herself out of the home she shares with her father while putting out the bins. The gabbled tale, which follows her barefoot scaling of neighbours’ fences while trying to avoid a Pit Bull (and mounds of dog shit), is delivered at pace with a naturalistic geniality, setting up rapport with the audience, all of whom quickly find themselves rooting for her. When her father is killed while returning to London (presumably in a car crash), she expresses opinions on everything from the pointlessness of flowers at a funeral to antipathy towards her mother, who left for another man when she was 11. She also expresses barely restrained contempt for a posh boy therapist assigned to help her, but whose upbringing would be a million miles from her life in Leytonstone.

On a night out with her besties, she is throwing shapes on the dance floor after too many strawberry sambucas (who knew there was such a thing?) and attracts the attention of someone who leaves her tongue-tied and almost adorably shy when they leave the club together. It’s moments like these when Chloe divulges that her tough exterior masks a joyously matter-of-fact romanticism, rendering her a thoroughly sympathetic character.

Does Chloe win her final qualifying match, which would see her go on to join Team GB and box for an Olympic medal at the games being staged a mere stone’s throw away at Stratford? It would seem destined, but you’ll just have to go along and find out for yourself.

Directed by Prime Isaac, BITCH BOXER runs at Arcola in Dalston until 14th March.