A collaborative project between Cardiff’s Curriculum Team, Theatr na nÓg and the Arts Council of Wales will see more than 2000 Cardiff pupils attend The Fight, a powerful and inspiring story which explores themes of racism, social justice, identity, and resilience.
The production by Theatr na nÓg tells the true story of Cuthbert Taylor, a gifted Black boxer from Merthyr Tydfil who, despite his Olympic-level talent, was denied the chance to fight for a British title purely because of the colour of his skin.
Set in the South Wales Valleys of the 1930s, The Fight connects deeply with the values and learning expectations of Curriculum for Wales across Expressive Arts, Humanities, and Health & Well-being.
Spearheading the idea to bring the production to Cardiff, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Sarah Merry attended the press nigh of the performance and said: “The story of Cuthbert Taylor is inspirational and underlines the impact of racism, the need we all have to feel that we belong and how easily that can be broken. The play brought the whole story to life, and I am proud we were able to give Cardiff pupils a chance to see it.”
Pupils from Ysgol Pencae shared their thoughts on the play;
“5 stars! The acting was amazing and we didn’t know what was going to happen next. The message was so powerful.” Cleo and Dewi, Year 5
“It was really exciting and there were lots of twists that were shocking. Cuthbert was a brave man, but it’s sad that he was never allowed to compete for the British title.” Iola, Year 5
All Cardiff schools were offered tickets to The Fight and resources have been provided to help embed the experience into their classroom learning.
The impact has been far-reaching figures demonstrating that The Fight has successfully reached learners who are too often underrepresented in cultural and enrichment opportunities:
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61% of pupils attending are from the Southern Arc—areas identified as having the highest levels of socio-economic deprivation in the city.
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37% of learners are of shared or global-majority heritage.
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29% have a home language other than English or Welsh (EAL).
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38% are eligible for Free School Meals, and 10% have Additional Learning Needs.
Cllr Merry added: “By removing barriers to access and ensuring representation on stage, this partnership has provided an inclusive experience that supports Cardiff’s commitment to equity, belonging, and the Curriculum for Wales vision of “ambitious, capable learners” who understand and value diversity.”
Alan Chappell-Williams, Lead Curriculum Officer for The Curriculum Team, said:
“This partnership is about more than theatre it’s about representation, belonging, and giving our young people the opportunity to see their stories reflected on stage.
“Theatr na nÓg’s work helps bring the Curriculum for Wales to life through authentic, local voices.”
The Fight runs weekdays until 24 October 2025 at Sherman Theatre, Cathays, with performances at 10 am and 1 pm.
