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.
PLEASE NOTE: Fighting Irish is being staged in-the-round with seating on all four sides of the stage, like the seating around a boxing ring. This is the first time we’ve ever staged a show this way in B2 and early booking is essential to make sure you don’t miss out on your ring-side seats!