WALLASEY-born actor, writer and producer Rob Ward is in fighting form.

He is bringing his play Gypsy Queen to the Unity Theatre at the end of the month.

And he says he wants the 70minute production to break down barriers and to appeal to all theatre-goers regardless of sexuality.

The Gypsy Queen is on a UK tour and following his Merseyside dates has now confirmed bookings at the Edinburgh Fringe in August and a run at the King’s Theatre in Islington, London later this year.

His modern day love story which contains nudity and strong language and scenes of a sexual nature, centres on ‘Gorgeous’ George O’Connell, a bare-knuckled fighter who enters the world of professional boxing.

He takes on gay boxer Dane Samson, played by Mancunian actor Ryan Clayton, in this two- hander where both actors share multi-roles.

The play looks at George’s own battles and the challenges for Dane – both gay sportsmen who suffer blows to their lives.

Robs’s previous work about homophobia in football called Away from Home won many awards.

Now Gypsy Queen - part of Liverpool Pride – is set to build on his growing reputation for creating powerful, touching and funny drama.

"You don’t have to be a boxing fan to enjoy it. There’s plenty of laugh out loud moments and banter and it bounces along,’’ says Rob who will turn 30 before the play arrives in Liverpool.

"Ryan who plays Dane trained at Ricky Hatton’s gym.

"But the play is set in various locations on a clever adaptable set.

Rob, a former pupil of Mosslands school, now lives in Manchester where the play started its life...

He says his work has helped him ‘know who he was and who he is.’

"Gypsy Queen is a love story about two characters who want to stay together but there are battles along the way in and out of the ring.

"It asks the question can two men raised to fight ever learn to love?’’

Gypsy Queen at the Unity Theatre from July 28 and 29.

For tickets call the box office 0151 709 4988.