James Graham‘s play Punch opened at London’s West End Apollo Theatre on Friday, marking the end of One Punch Awareness Week which takes place during the third week of September each year.
Inspired by a five-part radio series, Punch tells the heartbreakingly true story of nineteen-year old Jacob Dunne, who with one drunken punch, killed twenty-eight year old, trainee paramedic, James Hodgkinson.
After serving just over a year in prison for manslaughter (it was determined that it wasn’t the punch that killed James but the blow to the head when he hit the ground) Jacob was released back in to society – but not off-the hook for his crime.
James’ parents Joan and David contacted him as part of a ‘restorative justice’ programme that aims to bring together the victim’s family and the killer to help with rehabilitation and healing. This set in to motion a life changing experience that would see Jacob go on to dedicate his life to helping others.
The original cast from the Nottingham Playhouse and Young Vic productions of Punch, all reprise their roles for the West End production.
David Shields takes on the massive job of playing Jacob, the troubled young man who was raised to talk with his fists and never let his guard down. It’s a mammoth journey he has to go on but he tells the story beautifully.
The rest of the cast cleverly multi-role, playing a number of different characters. Alec Boaden brings bundles of mischief and energy to the role of Raf and both Julie Hesmondhalgh and Emma Pallant give heartbreaking performances as the two mothers.
Tony Hirst conveys the conflicted father well, struggling with his own masculinity whilst trying to navigate the horror that has presented itself to him and Shalisha James-Davis gives a strong performance as the support worker.
The movement (by Leanne Pinder) is beautiful and along with the delivery of the dialogue, at times makes it feel like you are watching a musical.
Punch is not only brilliantly written, acted and staged but it is a true story of actions and consequences that leaves not a dry eye in the house and an educated audience who leave the theatre thinking. A must see!
This production is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.
★★★★★
West End Wilma
Punch is playing at the Apollo Theatre until 29 November, 2025
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