⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)

In Bitch Boxer, a remounting of the 2025 Watford Palace Theatre production directed by Prime Isaac, Dalston’s Arcola Theatre Studio 2 transports us to a boxing ring where our protagonist Chloe Jackson (Jodie Campbell) is both literally and metaphorically fighting for the things she loves. Playwright Charlie Josephine’s debut play may have first been performed in 2012 - a landmark year that saw women compete in boxing at the Olympics for the first time - but it still feels just as fresh, relevant, and relatable today.

Delivering a powerhouse one-person performance, Campbell has the audience in the palm of her (soon-to-be-gloved) hand from the moment she enters the ring in silhouette against a backdrop of pulsating music. After an increasingly elaborate skipping rope warmup and taking a moment to breathlessly swig from a water bottle stashed in her sports bag, she begins the hour-long monologue by recounting a hilarious and relatable experience of being locked out of her house and trying to break her way back in. Campbell delivers the lines with the enthusiasm and familiarity of a friend explaining their exploits, immediately establishing the character, her humour, and building a rapport with the audience. We therefore feel an even more devastating gut-punch reaction when Chloe receives life-altering news mere moments later. The remainder of the play sees Campbell expertly navigate Chloe’s grief, a blossoming and then unravelling romantic relationship, and her drive to fulfil her dream of competing at the Olympics (on her own home turf in London, no less).

Josephine’s writing (brought to life brilliantly by Campbell) paints a vivid picture, full of detail and similes. It has a rhythmic, almost poetic quality, yet in the same breath Chloe will refer to her mum as a “stupid slag” or deliver a tongue-in-cheek aside of “dickhead”. Chloe is both relatable and endearing, while also flawed and prone to making choices that we, as an audience, know will not help her. Prime clearly has a strong grasp of the material, and Bitch Boxer manages the rare feat of having its audience laughing one minute, cheering the next, and completely silent in solidarity with its protagonist at other times.

Designer Hazel Low’s boxing ring set, featuring a punchbag composed of a tapestry of collared button-up shirts, ensures we never stray too far from Chloe’s motivation, grounding everything that takes place in the context of her passion. The static set is complemented fantastically by atmospheric lighting design from Jessie Assinall, at some points almost blindingly bright as Chloe becomes similarly disorientated while fighting, at others colourful and playful as she parties with her friends. Mwen’s sound design is similarly a standout element of the production, never overpowering but always contributing effectively to the ambience of the piece.

Overall, despite its short run-time of 60 minutes and a conclusion that feels just slightly unsatisfying, Bitch Boxer most definitely packs a punch, with sharp writing and an impressive performance from Jodie Campbell. Boxing as a sport is inherently theatrical, but by allowing us to peek behind the ropes, Bitch Boxer is able to explore an athlete’s strength and vulnerability simultaneously.

Bitch Boxer runs at Arcola Theatre until 14th March 2026.

Tickets Available Here