Punch, the new drama by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Dear England, Sherwood) is transferring to New York.
The show’s original director Adam Penford will also direct the Broadway production, which will play at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre on Broadway this autumn.
Produced by Manhattan Theatre Club, exact dates, casting and the creative team are to be announced.
Punch is currently playing at the Young Vic Theatre in London, booking to 26 April 2025.
The show had its official opening in London last week, garnering strong reviews from London’s critics. Punch originally premiered last year at Nottingham Playhouse.
Adam Penford, who is Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse, is returning to Broadway having previously been the Associate Director on Tony Award-winner One Man, Two Guvnors.
James Graham is back at MTC following their production of Ink, which scored six Tony Award nominations in 2019, including Best Play. James Graham’s new musical Tammy Faye, directed by Rupert Goold, recently had a short run on Broadway.
Adam Penford, Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse, said in a statement: “I’m a long-term admirer of MTC’s programme of work and have loved the productions I’ve seen at the beautiful Friedman theatre. James Graham is a master storyteller, and the real-life story of Punch is profound, thought-provoking and uplifting. It’s ultimately about kindness and building a better world, something which will resonate as strongly with US audiences as it did in the UK.”
Manhattan Theatre Club’s Lynne Meadow said: “All of us at Manhattan Theatre Club are thrilled to welcome the brilliant James Graham back to the Friedman Theatre, where our production of his play Ink received great acclaim in 2019. James’ fantastic new play Punch will be helmed by Adam Penford, who will make his Broadway and American debut as Director with the show.”
In London, the cast of Punch includes Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Mr Bates vs The Post Office) as Joan, Tony Hirst (Coronation Street, Hollyoaks) as David, and David Shields (Masters of the Air, Black Mirror) as Jacob.
The cast is completed by Alec Boaden (Masters of the Air, Random Acts) as Raf, DS Villiers and Sam; Shalisha James-Davis (Mary Queen of Scots, Romeo and Juliet) as Clare and Nicola; and Emma Pallant (Cowbois, Queenie) as Wendy, Sandra and Jacob’s Mum.
Punch is based on Jacob Dunne’s book Right From Wrong and tells his powerful true story. As a teenager, Dunne threw a single punch—an act that led to tragic consequences and profoundly changed his life.
Punch is directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford, with Design by Anna Fleischle, Lighting Design by Robbie Butler, Sound Design and Composition by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Movement Direction by Leanne Pinder, Movement Consultation by Lynne Page, Casting by Christopher Worrall CDG, Voice and Dialect Coaching by Sally Hague, Fight Direction by Kev McCurdy, and Production Consultation by Jacob Dunne.
Punch is running at The Young Vic from 1 March to 26 April 2025.
James Graham’s stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff is currently touring the UK; and his Olivier-Award winning play Dear England has returned to the National Theatre, and is now playing until 24 May 2025.
Book tickets to Punch at The Young Vic in London
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