James Graham's 'Punch' tickets now available through end of April 2025

Graham's play is based on Jacob Dunne’s moving memoir Right From Wrong and tells his story of a one-punch crime, which has fatal consequences.

The London transfer of Olivier Award winner James Graham's play Punch, about the true story of a one-punch crime, has been extended by two weeks at the Young Vic. Performances will now run until 26 April.

Graham (Best of Enemies, Dear England, This House, Sherwood) brought Jacob Dunne’s moving memoir Right From Wrong to the Nottingham Playhouse stage earlier this year. It tells the story of teenager Jacob Dunne, who punches someone one Saturday night, with fatal consequences. After serving prison time, he reaches out to the parents of his victim, Joan and David, leading to a pivotal turning point in his own life.

Original cast members Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Tony Hirst (Coronation Street, Hollyoaks), and David Shields (Masters of the Air, Black Mirror) reprise their roles as Joan, David and Jacob, respectively.

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.

Graham said: “This play and the incredible story it tells could not mean more to me. It feels like one of the most moving and urgent real-life dramas I’ve had the honour of translating to the stage. But despite its important themes of justice, forgiveness, and the human cost of a decade of neglect in these communities, I’m so proud of the surprisingly funny and oddly hopeful show that Adam Penford and the cast have built. I’ve never not watched without ugly crying and can’t wait to share it with a wider audience.”

Directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford, Punch has production 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, voice and dialect coaching by Sally Hague, and fight direction by Kev McCurdy.

Book Punch tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Punch. (Photo by Marc Brenner)