The critically-acclaimed production of Punch by Olivier Award-winning playwright, James Graham, based on the book ‘Right From Wrong’ by Jacob Dunne, transfers to the West End, following sold-out runs at Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic.
It will open at the Apollo Theatre for a strictly limited 10-week run playing from Monday 22 September to Saturday 29 November 2025.
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 (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.
Opening on Broadway simultaneously, Punch will also be playing at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre this autumn. 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. Further detail around these and other initiatives will be announced in due course.
Access Performances:
Audio Described Performance: Saturday 1 November, 2.30pm
Captioned Performance: Saturday 15 November, 2.30pm
BSL Performance: Thursday 20 November, 7.30pm
