STUDENTS from Grey Court School took to the boxing ring for a drama lesson with a difference last Wednesday.

Youngsters from the secondary school, in Ham Street, Ham, took part in a workshop led by the team behind Sucker Punch, which is playing to rave reviews at the Royal Court Theatre.

Roy Williams' play is set in a real boxing ring and based on his experiences as a black man during the 80s. The cast were given boxing training as part of rehearsals.

Last week's workshop began with a backstage tour of the Royal Court before Anthony Welsh, one of the stars of the show, taught pupils some basic boxing skills. It ended with a Q&A with members of the cast.

The 90-minute 'Insight' masterclass was part of charity Mousetrap Theatre Projects' London Theatre Challenge, set up to get 5,000 state school pupils a year across the capital involved in theatre and enable them to see productions for just £5.

Pupils from Haberdashers' Aske's Knights Academy, in Kent, also took part in the workshop.