Bisexual boxer’s story as a victim of racism becomes a play in São Paulo

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The unprecedented Brazilian production “12th Round: The Story of Emile Griffith”, showing at the Sesc Ipiranga theater until July 13, presents the life of the bisexual boxer who faced racism and homophobia at the peak of his career in the 1960s. The play is based on the true story of Emile Griffith, a five-time world champion, who publicly declared his bisexuality and whose journey was marked by tensions both inside and outside the ring.

Griffith, Black and Afro-Caribbean, also gained notoriety outside the sport following the 1962 fight against Kid Paret, who had publicly insulted him with homophobic slurs. In the televised match, Griffith knocked out Paret, who later died as a result of the blows. The incident left a lasting impression on the public and reignited the debate about violence in sports and sexual intolerance.

Conceived by actor Fernando Vitor, the play offers a fragmented and intense narrative. The script is by Sérgio Roveri and the direction by Bruno Lourenço. The staging is divided into “rounds”, reflecting the structure of a boxing match. The format includes twelve main scenes of three minutes each, interspersed with brief transitions that simulate the breaks between fights.

“Griffith’s journey is one of the greatest stories in the world of sports, and its obscurity is the result of a long process of erasing our history and identities”, says Fernando Vitor. “We are committed to honoring his legacy, highlighting the fact that Emile became, above all, an activist for the LGBTQ+ cause”.

The play also marks the debut of Coletivo Nocaute, a group of Black artists with backgrounds in theatrical productions addressing racial and sexual dissidence themes. “Turning the fight into language, dance, and narrative”, according to director Bruno Lourenço, was the greatest challenge of the production. “Griffith is not just a biographical figure; he is an ancestor. A world champion practically erased from our imagination because of homophobia”, he adds.

The production’s aesthetic approach leans toward documentary theater, incorporating videos, archival footage, and a soundtrack that evokes classic cinema. The structure aims to explore the body as a contested space—between the physical exertion of sport and the symbolic tensions of identity.

The original script of the play was awarded by PROAC in 2015, with public performances and discussions held in libraries and theater schools as part of the project’s commitments. The show runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays and holidays at 6 PM, with extra performances on July 9 and 10. The age rating is 16 and up.

“12th Round: The Story of Emile Griffith”

Season: until July 13, 2025
Showtimes: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM | Sundays and holidays at 6 PM
Extra performances: July 9 (Wednesday) at 6 PM; July 10 (Thursday) at 8 PM
Location: Sesc Ipiranga Theater
Address: Rua Bom Pastor, 822 – Ipiranga – São Paulo – SP
Telephone: (+55) 11 3340-2000
Tickets: R$ 18 (Full Credential), R$ 30 (Half-Price), R$ 60 (Full Price)
Age rating: 16 years and up
Duration: 70 minutes
Tickets and information: at this link
Instagram: @12roundteatro

CREDITS
Project conceived by: Fernando Vitor
Artistic direction: Bruno Lourenço
Playwright: Sérgio Roveri
Cast: Alexandre Ammano, Fernando Vitor, and Letícia Calvosa
Set design, costumes, and art direction: Maíra Sciuto and Natália Burger
Lighting and light technician: Ariel Rodrigues
Physical preparation: Tainara Cerqueira
Voice preparation: Malú Lomando
Boxing consultancy and training: Wellinton Souza
Video and projections: Renan Almeida
Musical direction: Bruno Lourenço
Sound technician: Fernando da Mata
Piano (recording): Lisi Andrade
Vibraphone (recording): Lua Oliveira
Sound design: Lua Oliveira
Graphic designer: João Vitor Lage
Press office: Marrom Glacê Comunicação
Project management: Jéssica Rodrigues
Production direction: Natália Burger
Production assistant: Jéssica Policastri
Scenic technician: Alício Silva – Casa Malagueta
Stand-in: Thamiris Mandú