Black Atlas tells the historical tale of two slaves from America.听One Tom Molineaux, becomes the first black prize fighter in Britain and he was later followed over the Atlantic by William Richmond.听 Fate throws the two men together in Regency England.听 Spanning three continents in 80 minutes Black Atlas features an original score and depicts a vast range of key historical and fictional characters (historical characters include not just the slaves Molineaux and Richmond, but George III, and Beau Brummel).听 Fabian Spencer plays Tom Molineaux. Molineaux was born a slave in Georgetown, Virginia and began his career fighting other slaves in bouts organised by plantation owners. After a particularly brilliant victory, Molineaux was given his freedom and $500. He arrived in England in 1809 and began to box professionally, trained by Bill Richmond, another freed American slave and prizefighter. Molineaux's most famous matches were against the British champion Tom Cribb in 1810 and 1811. He lost on both occasions but became a national celebrity. He died in Dublin in 1818. Darren Raymond plays Bill Richmond. Richmond was born a slave in Staten Island, New York, he became one of the most accomplished and respected boxers of the early 19th century. He was brought to England by Lord Percy in 1777 and fought a famous match against the British champion Tom Cribb in 1805. He continued to fight until the age of 55 but retired from the ring in 1818 to establish a boxing academy in London. The London Shakespeare Workout (LSW) and the LSW Prison Project are behind Black Atlas. Former prisoner Fabian Spencer who plays Molineaux says: 听"When you are in prison it can be the only true and constructive interaction you get with people... I have a new outlook on life. In fact I have a career."
Darren Raymond (Richmond) adds "Being involved with LSW has given me so much confidence. I love performing..." Black Atlas听 was inspired by George MacDonald Fraser鈥檚 best-selling novel Black Ajax. The production is in Leeds at the Carriageworks on Thursday 5 April 2007 at 7.30pm.听There will also be an interactive talk-back after the performance. The play commemorates the Bi-centennial of the signing of the Act of Abolition from Slavery in the British Empire on 25th March 1807. | 
