The story of the world’s first female boxing promoter is portrayed on stage on Saturday.

Bradford-born actress, Denise Kennedy, stars as Bella Burge in Bella: Queen Of The Blackfriars Ring.

The play is at the Square Chapel Centre in Halifax from 7.30pm.

Women’s boxing was introduced as an Olympic sport during London 2012, where Nicola Adams, from Leeds, won a gold medal.

But Bella: Queen Of The Blackfriars Ring shows another side to women’s involvement with boxing from 100 years ago. It is the true story of a woman who initially toured the music halls as dresser to leading singer and comedienne, Marie Lloyd In a show featuring live music, song, dance, boxing and film, Bella enters the male-dominated world of boxing.

She takes over the running of South London boxing venue Blackfriars Ring from her husband, the ex-prize-fighter, Dick Burge, after making a promise to him on his deathbed.

Bella ran the venue until it was destroyed in an air raid in the 1940s.

Denise said: “When I found out about Bella’s story, I was gripped and felt I needed to tell it.

“A shorter version of the show was performed a couple of years ago and it went down really well. Everyone wanted to see more.

“As it is a one-woman show, I will be playing all the different characters, boxers included. It has been great but incredibly hard work.

“I am in my late 40s and boxing is one of the most strenuous forms of exercise you can possibly start, especially at my age! I have dance training, which has helped me with the footwork.”

Visit squarechapel.co.uk or call 01422 349422 to book tickets.