“Women can’t box? You watch.”
Jodie Campbell (BBC’s Boarders) stars in a one-woman show about love, family and smashing society’s expectations.
It’s 2012 and women are finally allowed to step into the Olympic boxing ring. Chloe Jackson is ready to fight, but life has a way of landing its own punches.
After losing her dad, Chloe is determined to stay strong on her own, because showing her vulnerability may ruin the dream they shared. But will channelling her aggression, fears and determination be enough for Chloe to defeat all in – and outside of – the ring? Or will her strength crumble, just when she needs it most?
Charlie Josephine’s (Cowbois at the RSC; I, Joan at Shakespeare’s Globe) debut play returns to London in a remount of Watford Palace Theatre’s 2025 production, directed by Prime Isaac.
See you in the ring.
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Running time
1 hour (no latecomers and no readmittance) -
Age guidance
14+ -
Content warnings
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Discounts
Concessions available
Pay What You Can Tuesdays
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Captioned performance
Praise for the Watford Palace Theatre production of Bitch Boxer
“A captivating play that will have you hanging onto every single word… the definition of female-bodied empowerment.”– BroadwayWorld
“Outstandingly well-told… a knockout production”– Theatre Monkey
“A sizzling show… packs a powerful punch”– Watford Fringe Reviews
Best Director Nominee at 2025 Black British Theatre Awards
Production photos
The Company
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Jodie Campbell
Chloe Jackson
Jodie Campbell
Chloe Jackson
Jodie can currently be seen as the lead role of ‘Leah’ in the second season of BBC Three’s hit new comedy drama Boarders, for which she has received rave reviews:
“This private school satire is absolutely packed with future megastars” – The Guardian
She has just finished filming the third season of Boarders, and recently made her theatre debut in the one-woman play Bitch Boxer at Watford Palace Theatre, where she received excellent reviews:
“Campbell’s performance will have you feeling like you’re having a chat with your closest friend – a post-night-out debrief that has you hooked from the very start. From her boxing form, to her natural humour, Campbell showcased genuine truth and natural talent in this role. Her ability to dive between comedy and drama within moments of each other created a pace audience members could latch onto and follow every word. A stellar portrayal.” ★★★★★ – BroadwayWorld
Her previous television credits include No Returns for ITV opposite Sheridan Smith, and Bulletproof for Sky.
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Charlie Josephine
Writer
Charlie Josephine
Writer
Charlie Josephine is an actor, writer and director for stage and screen. After a successful run at The Globe over the 2025 festive season, their new musical Pinocchio, (with Jim Fortune) will return to The Globe in Winter 2026.
In 2024 Charlie’s rip-roaring Western Cowbois debuted at the RSC before transferring to the main stage of the Royal Court Theatre. Other theatre credits include I, Joan, which rocked The Globe in 2022 to five star reviews featuring a non-binary Joan of Arc; Orchestra (NT Connections); Pops (High Tide Festival Theatre), and Blush (Soho Theatre). Bitch Boxer won multiple awards in its initial outing at the Soho Theatre, including the Soho Theatre Young Writers Award 2012, before its revival at the Watford Palace Theatre last year.
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Prime Isaac
Director
Prime Isaac
Director
Prime Isaac is black queer theatre director from West London, with over six years of experience in the industry as a Director, Assistant director, Associate director and Workshop facilitator. They have worked at a number of theatres all around the United Kingdom from The Old Vic to Hull Truck to Leeds playhouse to Watford Palace and many more! They are also a member of the Headlong Board. Prime is dedicated to presenting diverse and untold stories that inspire, challenge, and resonate with audiences.
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Hazel Low
Designer
Hazel Low
Designer
Recent Credits include: Animal Farm (Tobacco Factory, Bristol); Make Me Feel, Pause/Rewind, As We Face The Sun, Pass It On (Bush Theatre); Playfight (Bristol Old Vic, Belgrade Coventry, Soho Theatre); The Crucible (egg theatre, Bath); The Glorious French Revolution (New Diorama Theatre); The Legend of Ned Ludd (Everyman Theatre, Liverpool); succession theme is my ringtone (Rose Theatre); Tiger (Omnibus Theatre); Who Killed my Father (co-design with Blythe Brett) (Camden People’s Theatre and Scottish Tour); Bogeyman (Pleasance Queendome).
As Assistant/Associate: I, Joan (Shakespeare’s Globe); Paradise Now (Bush Theatre); Blood Show and Monster Show (Cambridge Junction);
Hazel is also an Associate Lecturer on BA Theatre Design at UAL Wimbledon College of Arts.
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Jessie Addinall
Lighting Designer
Jessie Addinall
Lighting Designer
Jessie is a theatrical Lighting designer from Hull.
Recent credits include: Oliver Twist (Hull Truck Theatre), Don’t Look Now (New Wolsey/Salisbury Playhouse), Di and Viv and Rose (Theatre By The Lake/ Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Bitch boxer (Watford Palace), Good for a Girl (Birmingham Rep), Steel (Theatre by The Lake), Baby He Loves You (Middle Child), We Could All Be Perfect (Sheffield Theatres), Brief Encounter (The New Wolsey & Salisbury Playhouse), Ladies Day (The New Vic & The Octagon Theatre), The Canary and The Crow (Middle Child).
Associate Credits Include: Animal Farm (The Octagon), Dogs (Liverpool Playhouse), Shedding a Skin (SOHO Theatre).
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Mwen
Sound Designer
Mwen
Sound Designer
Mwen has been working creatively with sound as an artist, producer, composer, musician and DJ for a number of years. Mwen’s creative output includes immersive audio-visual work, sound design and composing for theatre and film and live performance. Their creative practice melds the worlds of technology, electronic music, live performance and interactive art.
Mwen’s compositions and productions have received airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6, XFM, NTS, Rinse FM and synced to TV and fashion film. Theatre sound design and composition credits range from Offie Award winning productions to mid-scale and West End theatre productions. Mwen is a grant awardee of Birmingham University’s Sounding Change Artist Residency Programme and Arts Council England’s DYCP grant.
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Mateus Daniel
Movement Director
Mateus Daniel
Movement Director
Movement Director credits: Passion Fruit (New Diorama); Human Nurture (Theatre Centre/Tour); Chicken Burger and Chips (Brixton House); The Boys Are Kissing (Theatre 503); Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial (Ambassador Theatre); Our Eyes Look to God (Festival d’Aix-en Provence); What I Hear I Keep (Talawa Theatre); As We Face The Sun (Bush Theatre); TERRA XYZ (Wonderland magazine); TRIBE (Young Vic); Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Phoenix Theatre), No More Mr Nice Guy (Broadway Theatre/Bristol Old Vic); Communion, Sweetmeats (Bush Theatre); Vitamin D (Soho Theatre); Purgatory (Donmar warehouse); Bitch Boxer (Watford Palace Theatre); a practical guide on how to save the world… (Tara Theatre); spectacle of the surreal (V&A Museum); How To Win Against History (Bristol Old Vic); Safe Space (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Film credits: BLITZ (Apple TV).
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Taya Lovejoy
Assistant Director
Taya Lovejoy
Assistant Director
Taya Lovejoy is thrilled to be Assistant Director on her first production in the UK. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she is currently studying at the East 15 Acting School to earn her MFA in Theatre Directing. Before moving across the pond this past fall, she worked as a choreographer for several musical theatre productions, and was the co-director of The Clay Crows Improv Troupe. She would like to thank Prime for this amazing opportunity, and the whole team for being such wonderful collaborators!
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Grace “G” Hans
Stage Manager
Grace “G” Hans
Stage Manager
Theatre includes: Macbeth, Cowbois (RSC); More Life, Cowbois (Royal Court); The Cat and the Canary (Chichester Festival Theatre); Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story…, Father Christmas (Lyric Hammersmith); Akedah (Hampstead); A Gig for Ghosts (Soho Theatre); We Will Be Happy Here (Spare Tyre); I Know I Know I Know (Southwark Playhouse); I Don’t Know Why I’m Crying (Maude); The Winston Machine (New Diorama Theatre).
Book your tickets
Event Instance Listings
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Thu 19 Feb
7pm
Preview
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Fri 20 Feb
7pm
Preview
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Sat 21 Feb
7pm
Preview
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Mon 23 Feb
7pm
Preview
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Tue 24 Feb
7pm
Preview
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Wed 25 Feb
7pm
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Thu 26 Feb
7pm
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Fri 27 Feb
7pm
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Sat 28 Feb
3.30pm
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Sat 28 Feb
7pm
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Mon 2 Mar
7.30pm
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Tue 3 Mar
7pm
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Wed 4 Mar
7pm
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Captioned performance
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Thu 5 Mar
7pm
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Fri 6 Mar
7pm
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Sat 7 Mar
3.30pm
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Sat 7 Mar
7pm
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Mon 9 Mar
7pm
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Tue 10 Mar
7pm
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Wed 11 Mar
7pm
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Thu 12 Mar
7pm
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Fri 13 Mar
7pm
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Sat 14 Mar
3.30pm
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Sat 14 Mar
7pm