White Feather Boxer

A new play by Siobhán Nicholas, performed by Chris Barnes and Polly Jordan. It’s April 1967: in a small boxing gym off the Bethnal Green Road, an elderly trainer listens to the news: Muhammad Ali is refusing to fight in Vietnam.

The heavyweight champion of the world has defied the US Military! Jimmy reflects on the choice he himself made during WW1 – when Conscription sent Pacifists to prison or the firing squad.

Back then in 1916, he was at the peak of his boxing career and physical prowess.
But can Jimmy still be a contender and face the demons from his past? And does he have the strength or even the patience to confront the wild new demon from his present, an angry young woman who desperately needs his help?

Marking the centenary of the notorious Conscription Act in 1916, this is a brand new play about boxing – ‘the bravest of sports’ – and the courage of the Conscientious Objectors of World War 1.

‘War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today’ John F Kennedy

WHY? ‘This tiny company punches way above its weight – see them and experience meticulously researched theatre that stimulates, entertains and relies on skill and imagination’ The Public Review on Take the Space’s production of Dolce Via

‘Chris Barnes, playing Hooke, was simply fantastic’ Oxford Daily Info on Hanging Hooke

‘This is the most wonderful piece of new writing I have seen in years’ Plays International on Hanging Hooke

‘The audience choked on the bared emotions and the wonderment of people seeing deep space for the first time’ The Guardian on STELLA

Development {seeded by greenhouse} for this play began with a series of debates hosted by Norden Farm in 2014. It concluded with a performed reading in the Studio last year.

White Feather Boxer will be a fifth production from Take the Space and a fourth visit to Norden Farm. Audiences may remember Hanging Hooke, Dolce Via and STELLA, a story of women, their men and astronomy.

£15 (£13 conc), Supporters £12

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Take the Space website

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