The production will head to the Apollo Theatre later this year.
It has been announced that James Graham’s play based on the book ‘Right From Wrong’ by Jacob Dunne will run at the Apollo Theatre in London from the 22nd September until the 29th November.
The news of the West End run follows the successful runs of the play at the Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic.
Punch, which won the 2024 UK Theatre Award for Best Performance for David Shields, brings the true life story of Jacob Dunne to the stage and is 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 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.
James Graham, Playwright, said today, “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.”
The play will also be opening on Broadway, opening at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre this autumn, produced by Manhattan Theatre Club. Performances at the Young Vic continue through until the 26th April 2025.
Tickets are on sale now, with Group and Education rates available, via www.PunchThePlay.com.