Award-winning play Len Johnson Fighter returns this May—reworked and with a brand new score by Mark Simpson.
The play sold out every night during last year’s Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.
Inspired by Michael Herbert’s book Never Counted Out and the Len Johnson collection at the Working Class Movement Museum in Salford, the play tells the story of the greatest British middleweight boxer never to be champion.
It questions and exposes the depths of racism inherent in British society and tells of a true working class hero.
Jarreau Benjamin, who was nominated for a Manchester Theatre Award for his portrayal of Len, said: “I’m so passionate about all the things he was fighting for.”
Mark Simpson has used themes from the early 20th century to create an original score that reflects a region afflicted by two world wars and their aftermath.
Rising Moon Productions includes the directors and producer of The Best, Jack Rosenthal’s play on the legendary footballer George Best, winner of the Manchester Theatre Award for Best Fringe Production 2013.
They also presented Meanwhile, gaining rave five-star reviews for sell-out shows at the 2013 Manchester Fringe.
The show will be at The Kings Arms, Salford on 11 and 12 May and the Octagon Theatre in Bolton on 20 and 21 May.