A musical drama inspired by the true story of boxer Vernon Vanriel will receive its world premiere as part of the 2023 season at London’s Park Theatre.
Debuting from 6 January until 4 February 2023, On The Ropes is written by Dougie Blaxland and Vanriel and directed by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.
Featuring a musical blend of blues and reggae, the celebration of how courage, dignity and a fighting spirit can triumph over prejudice and injustice, the musical re-tells the story of the fighter who arrived in Britain as a six-year-old along with his family as part of the Windrush generation.
One of the most influential and charismatic Black British boxers of the 1970s and 1980s, Vanriel’s story made headlines during the Windrush scandal when the former boxer was discovered trapped in Jamaica, penniless, homeless and in need of medical care for a heart condition.
Announcing all the productions planned for the 2023 season, artistic director Jez Bond said: “We are delighted to be presenting not one, but three in-house productions this season. It’s such a pleasure to welcome Clive Anderson back to Park Theatre as he takes the helm of Winner’s Curse – the new play penned by Middle East diplomat Daniel Taub and television comedy writer, Dan Patterson, and directed by myself.
“I am as pleased as punch to be giving the incredible tale of North London local lad Vernon Vanriel a crucial voice on our P200 stage with On The Ropes. Plus, we are looking forward to welcoming audiences to see a wonderful new piece of writing from Jon Bradfield and Josh Hepple, ANIMAL, a hilarious and heartwarming story about disability and desire, identity and independence. It’s fantastic to co-produce ANIMAL with the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester – our second collaboration in the past six months – and we’re excited to tour the show to a key creative hub in Bristol. We hope these burgeoning connections with venues outside of London are a sign of things to come as Park Theatre marks a very special landmark in May by turning 10 years old.
“Completing the main stage bill, Mark Gatiss directs The Way Old Friends Do, and we have two remarkable plays in P90 – The Elephant Song and The Beach House. Right now, we’re still riding high after the fantastic success of our opening shows in the Autumn 2022 season, but this is an absolute cracker of a season and I cannot wait.”
Angela Thomas
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