Five Minutes with Jordan Cowan from Bitch Boxer

Yes, I trained for three months with some wonderful coaches in Sydney and Adelaide – it was a crash course and turned out to be pretty tough. I learnt a lot about myself as an actor and some really surprising things. It’s such an intriguing sport and one that I think is a bit misinterpreted by Hollywood. My trainer in Adelaide made me learn to take punches (by punching me a lot) and also made me hit him daily, which was intense!

How important do you think playwright Charlotte Josephine’s message is for young women and men?

Men in the boxing world were really sceptical of women stepping into the ring, and I think it made them nervous, but it shouldn’t. Charlotte wrote the play after a passer-by commented on how ‘unladylike’ she looked lugging boxes around on her day job. ‘Unladylike’ to me suggests there is a ‘ladylike’ way of doing something, and this is just baffling. People believe women should act in a certain way – well, screw that! Bitch Boxer explores this myth.

What is it about boxing that’s conducive to great theatre?

There is a real ‘theatre’ in a boxing match. The focus and precision of a boxer is really similar to that of an actor onstage. The two go hand-in-hand, and that’s why I think the play is so exciting! The whole final act of the play is a three-round boxing match and it’s my job to have people on the edge of their seat – it’s incredibly exciting.

Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of women boxing – what do you say to them?

I say, “You what?” I think people in general just don’t like change, but need to get over it, really. I think once people see women in the ring and in the gym they change their minds very quickly. I mean, if people don’t like boxing in general, that’s fine – but suggesting anything is just for men or just for women, well, those people need to move on. It’s 2015, people.

Is there anything else on the Bondi Feast lineup you’re excited to see?

Geez, there is so much, but I am really excited for the masterclasses and I can’t wait to see Zoe Coombs Marr’s Dave. I missed it at the Fringe and heard it was absolutely brilliant. Also, the 24 Hour Party Playwright is always wonderful.