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Fighting Irish

Belgrade Theatre

Exhilarating Physicality. The cast stomp, punch and sing their way through a rigorously choreographed show - The Guardian

Fighting_Irish_Photo_Robert_Day.jpg

A Coventry family’s fight for identity, in and out of the boxing ring

It’s 1979. Coventry’s newest boxing star returns to the National Stadium in Dublin to defend his Irish light-heavyweight title but ends up facing more than one fearsome challenger to his crown. Prejudice, corrupt officials and warring factions in Ireland cause a chaotic event that pushes family unity to the brink.

“I have to fight everyone – opponents, referees, judges. I’m Irish in England, English in Ireland. Who am I?”

Fighting Irish, a new Belgrade Theatre production by Coventry writer, Jamie McGough, is the extraordinary, true story charting the rising and falling fortunes of the McGough brothers, and maps the journey of the Irish diaspora through one family’s story.

Directed by the Belgrade’s Creative Director, Corey Campbell for Coventry UK City of Culture 2021.

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The Actual boxing sequences are quite beautiful, almost balletic while retaining a certain atavistic nature. These movement sequences are a triumph - The Reviews Hub ****

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Authentic and truthful Movement - West End Best Friend *****

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Fighting Irish is an absolute knock-out - WhatsOn Live *****

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Lucy Glassbrook's choreography and movement direction really helps shape the play and highlight Ireland's profoundly rich history in the sport - Always Time for Theatre ****

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A lot of thought and creativity in the excellent choreography and ensemble work. The physicality of the young actors who play the boxers is also impressive - Elementary WhatsOn

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The raucous nature of the opening sets the tone for the rest of the play...It's a knockout play - East Midlands Theatre ****

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Broadway Baby ****

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Cast & Creatives

Jarlath McGough - Louis Ellis | Sean McGough - Christian James | Martin McGough Jr - Dan Krikler | Martin McGough Sr - Colm Gormley | Eileen McGough - Rosalind Steele Jimmy McGough - Peter Losasso Billy Duffin - Andrew Fettes Frank Bannon - George McCluskey | Joe Lawless - Dan McGarry | Fighters & Lawyer - Eddy Payne 

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​JAMIE MCGOUGH         COREY CAMPBELL          LUCY GLASSBROOK           PATRICK CONNELLAN        JOE HORNSBY          OLIVER HOWARD

Writer                            Director                         Co - Movement Director        Set & Costume                   Lighting Designer        Sound Designer

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​​JASON SYLVESTER         EMMA BARBER               SARA MYERS           
Sound Designer                 Casting Director              Assistant Director           

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