Boxing’s shameful past retold in Cuthbert Taylor play

McCurdy – the only person of colour to become a qualified combat choreographer in the UK – has worked on films including Disney’s John Carter and TV series such as Doctor Who, Torchwood and Hinterland.

He hopes The Fight will “shake the dust out” of this story.

“It’s gone on far too long and it’s not just Cuthbert, it’s the same with quite a few of the other boxers of that era, such as Len Johnson,” he said.

“That level of injustice because of the colour of your skin went to the very top of society. The policy was even endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Winston Churchill.

“I’m a glass half-full person but seeing as the BBBoC have failed to respond to three statements in Parliament, external, I’m not holding my breath.”

McCurdy, who was fostered as a baby to a white family, believes Styles was wise to target her script at school-age children aged nine and above.

“Kids need to see people like them and to think critically about the effects of racism on all of us, while their minds are still open enough to entertain ideas,” he said.

“We haven’t softened or dumbed down the story at all. We’re dealing with injustice, grief, love and social friendships. My kids have grown up now, but it’s a fact, young people can actually handle a lot more than what we think.”