Royal Court Converts Theatre into Boxing Arena

Sucker Punch
by Roy Williams
Directed by Sacha Wares
11 June – 24 July 2010
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court
Press Night Friday 18 June 7pm

Sucker Punch, the new play by Roy Williams at the Royal Court Theatre, will go on sale today, boasting a transformed auditorium, two young actors-turned-boxers and a former European boxing champ as production boxing trainer.

The Jerwood Theatre Downstairs will undergo a major reconstruction for this production, being transformed into a boxing arena, complete with ring side seating and an additional circle level.

Actors Daniel Kaluuya (playing Leon) and Anthony Welsh (playing Troy) have already embarked on an extensive fitness regime, under the tutelage of former British boxer and European champ Errol Christie, in order to be fighting fit for when rehearsals begin on 10 May. Further casting to be announced shortly.

Roy Williams’ Sucker Punch looks back on what it was like to be young and Black in the 80s and asks if the right battles have been fought, let alone won.

In the red corner: Leon Davidson – Black British champ or Uncle Tom? In the blue corner: Troy Augustus- American powerhouse or naïve cash cow? Two former friends step into the ring and face up to who they are.

Daniel Kaluuya’s credits include Oxford Street at the Royal Court and on television, Skins, The Philanthropist, Doctor Who, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Bellamy’s People, Psychoville and Lewis.

Anthony Welsh’s credits include Pornography at the Tricycle, Supernova at the Lyric Hammersmith and The Brothers Size at the Young Vic.

Roy Williams’ previous plays include Lift Off and Clubland in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs and Fallout in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, which was later made into a film for Channel 4. Recent credits elsewhere include Category B, part of the Not Black and White season at the Tricycle and Joe Guy for Tiata Fahodzi at Soho Theatre. His early work at the Royal Court was supported by Jerwood New Playwrights, in partnership with the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.

Sacha Wares is Associate Director at the Royal Court. Most recently she directed Seroca Davis in debbie tucker green’s random, currently playing at the Elephant and Castle shopping centre as part of Theatre Local, prior to a short national tour. Her credits at the Royal Court include My Child by Mike Bartlett and random by debbie tucker green. Other directing work includes generations (Young Vic) and Guantanamo (co-directed with Nicolas Kent; Tricycle / West End / New York).

Coach Errol Christie began boxing at the age of eight, with his first proper fight at age 10. By 13 he was schoolboy champion of England and European boxing champ 10 years later. Errol was a professional boxer throughout the 80s and a regular fixture on ITV’s Fight Night. His new book No Place to Hide (published by Aurum) is his story of growing up black in the Britain of the 1970’s and 80’s as told to journalist Tony McMahon and is out this week.

The play will be designed by Miriam Buether, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Gareth Fry and movement direction from Leon Baugh.

Sucker Punch previews from 11 June until 24 July in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre. Tickets £10 – £25 available online or from the Box Office on 020 7565 5000.

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact Anna Evans in the Royal Court Press Office on
020 7565 5063 or at annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com.

Listings information

Sucker Punch
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London
Written by Roy Williams
11 June – 24 July 2010

Mondays-Saturdays 7.30pm
Press Night Saturday 19 June 7pm
Saturday Matinees From 26 June 3pm

Tickets

Box Office 020 7565 5000 or online

Tickets £25, £18, £12
Mondays all seats £10
Concessions £5 off top two prices (avail. in advance for all perfs until 19 June incl. and all mats. For all other perfs, avail. on a standby basis on the day)
25s and under Limited free tickets available for 25s and under through the Arts Council’s national scheme A Night Less Ordinary. Call the Box Office for availability. £6 tickets also available.
School and HE Groups of 8+ 50% off top two prices (avail. Tue-Fri)
Groups of 6+ £5 off top price (avail. Tue-Fri)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)

Cast

Daniel Kaluuya Leon Davidson
Anthony Welsh Troy Augustus

Creative Team

Roy Williams Writer
Sacha Wares Director
Miriam Buether Designer
Peter Mumford Lighting Designer
Gareth Fry Sound Designer
Leon Baugh Movement Director
Errol Christie Boxing Trainer