James Graham’s latest hit drama Punch is transferring into the West End.
Currently enjoying a sold-out run at The Young Vic Theatre in London until 26 April 2025, Punch will transfer to the West End’s Apollo Theatre from 22 September to 29 November 2025.
The show has had a great response from both audiences and critics, with theatre critics praising the show in London and when it premiered at Nottingham Playhouse earlier this year. Read the Punch reviews round-up.
In December, Punch announced that it was extending by two weeks at the Young Vic, from a run that started on 1 March.
Written by Olivier Award-winner James Graham (Best of Enemies, Dear England, Sherwood), the play is directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford.
The West End cast will feature the current Young Vic cast, who are reprising their acclaimed roles from Nottingham, including 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.
At the same time as running in London, Punch will also be playing in New York this autumn, at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre on Broadway produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club, and directed by Adam Penford.
Punch is based on the book Right From Wrong by Jacob Dunne, and tells an extraordinary true story of tragedy, forgiveness, redemption and reform.
As a teenager in Nottingham, Jacob Dunne would spend 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.
The Punch creative team also includes: 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.
The West End transfer is produced by KPPL Productions, Mark Gordon Pictures and Eilene Davidson Productions.
Writer James Graham said in a statement: “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.”
Director Adam Penford said: “It’s been an honour developing this play over the last few years with the incredibly talented James Graham. We’re both proudly from Nottingham and it’s a credit to the team at Nottingham Playhouse that this homegrown production continues to gather pace. The story of redemption and hope moves audiences in a way that only theatre can. To witness an audience collectively holding their breath, laugh and cry together, is an unforgettable experience. I’m so pleased that more people will get the opportunity to see the outstanding original cast. I want to thank the West End producers for their support, particularly their dedication to ensuring the community and charitable work offstage remains just as important as the work onstage. I also wanted to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to Joan, David and Jacob, and all the real-life people who appear in the play, for their generosity and trust.”
Producer Kate Pakenham said: “Phyllida, Mark, Eilene and I feel hugely privileged to be bringing James Graham’s extraordinary play, Punch, to the Apollo Theatre this Autumn. Audiences have shown their need for this story being told in the theatre with standing ovations every performance in Nottingham and now at the Young Vic. Great storytelling – Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Adolescence as examples – can change the national, and even international, conversation around urgent issues of the moment. Punch does the same, asking profound questions about who we are to one another and offering a story of immense hope about our capacity for kindness. It is thrilling to be able to bring the production to the West End as it opens simultaneously on Broadway. This will be a trans-Atlantic theatre event of an important and hugely relevant play. In recognition of the very special nature of this play and production, the West End producers have committed that any producer profit will be used to provide future access to Punch for young people. We present the play in honour of the incredible people at the centre of the story, with our deepest respect for them all, and in memory of James Hodgkinson.”
James Graham’s Olivier-Award winning play Dear England has returned to the National Theatre, and is now playing until 24 May 2025. Also, James Graham’s stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff is now touring the UK.
James Graham’s latest play, Make It Happen, will premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival this summer 2025, starring Brian Cox.
Book tickets to Punch in London
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