On The Ropes By Vernon Vanriel and Dougie Blaxland

Pulsating with the rhythmic energies of blues, reggae and boxing, On the Ropes is an uplifting musical drama telling the extraordinary story of Vernon Vanriel who arrived in Britain aged 6 with his family as part of the Windrush Generation, and rose to prominence as one of the most charismatic and influential Black British boxers of the 70s and 80s.

In 2005, having lived in North London for over 40 years, Vernon found himself trapped in Jamaica, and in a bare-knuckle fight for his right to citizenship with the British Home Office.

In an energetic fusion of live music, humour, poetry and the duck and weave of the boxing ring,On the Ropes is a celebration of Vernon – aka The Entertainer – and, ultimately, of how courage, dignity and a fighting spirit can triumph over prejudice and injustice.

Supported by Arts Council England, The Leche Trust, The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust, The Austin Hope Pilkington…