Following sold-out runs at Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic, Punch by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham, based on the book Right From Wrong by Jacob Dunne, will transfer to London’s West End for a strictly limited 10-week run. The production will open at the Apollo Theatre from 22 September 2025.
KPPL Productions, Mark Gordon Pictures, and Eilene Davidson Productions, in association with the Young Vic and Nica Burns, announced the West End transfer of the critically acclaimed Nottingham Playhouse production. The ‘powerful’ (Mail on Sunday) production, for which David Shields won the 2024 UK Theatre Award for Best Performance, brings Jacob Dunne’s real-life story to the stage, directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director, Adam Penford.
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, including Alec Boaden (Masters of the Air) as Raf/DS Villers/Sam, Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs the Post Office) as Joan/Nan, Tony Hirst (Boiling Point) as David/Derek/Tony/Raf’s Dad, Shalisha James-Davis (I May Destroy You) as Clare/Nicola, Emma Pallant (Queenie) as Wendy/Sandra/Jacob’s Mum, and David Shields (Black Mirror) as Jacob, will reprise their roles in the West End.
James Graham, Playwright, 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.”
Adam Penford, Director and Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse, added, “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.”
Kate Pakenham, Producer, commented, “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.”
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 2025.
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.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
Keywords: Punch, Apollo Theatre, Alec Boaden, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst, Shalisha James-Davis, Emma Pallant, David Shields
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