James Graham’s PUNCH to transfer to the West End for limited run
A West End transfer has been announced for the critically-acclaimed Nottingham Playhouse production of Punch by Olivier Award-winning playwright, James Graham, based on the book ‘Right From Wrong’ by Jacob Dunne, following sold-out runs at Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic.
Directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford, Punch will open at the Apollo Theatre for a strictly limited 10-week run playing from 22 September-29 November.
Jacob, a teenager from Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening, an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. After serving prison time, Jacob finds himself lost and directionless. Searching for answers, Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life. A powerful true story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change.
The original cast comprising of Alec Boaden as Raf/DS Villers/Sam, Julie Hesmondhalgh as Joan/Nan, Tony Hirst as David/Derek/Tony/Raf's Dad, Shalisha James-Davis as Clare/Nicola, Emma Pallant as Wendy/Sandra/Jacob’s Mum, and David Shields as Jacob will reprise their roles in the West End.
Playwright James Graham said: “The honour and responsibility of telling Jacob, Joan and David's story, and witnessing the impact their real-life journey has on audiences night on night - in Nottingham, and at the Young Vic - I can honestly say it makes Punch one of the most moving and meaningful plays I've ever had the privilege to create. Having a further opportunity to see this Nottingham story on a national and now global stage is also, on a personal level, a deeply moving and surprising turn of events.
“We want Punch to grab audiences and entertain them, but we're also pleased to see it contributing to wider conversations about justice and masculinity. In the last week alone we visited Parliament to introduce the issues of Punch to lawmakers, and led a screening and Q&A at HMP YOI Isis as part of a Taking Part project from the Young Vic Theatre, KPPL Productions and Untold Creative Training. I'm grateful to our producers for their wider advocacy, to Adam Penford, and to our incredible cast.”
Opening on Broadway simultaneously, Punch will also be playing at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre this autumn, produced by Manhattan Theatre Club. Performances at the Young Vic continue through until 26 April.
The West End production will build on the significant education and partnership work around the production at Nottingham Playhouse and at the Young Vic.
This will include post-show conversations with special guests every Tuesday night of the run, performances for school and special interest groups curated by charity partner Go Live Theatre, and the creation of a free learning pack available to all offering insights into the themes of the play and the making of the production. Further detail around these and other initiatives will be announced in due course.
This production is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.
