Punch Tickets
London

Punch Tickets

Witness the journey from a single punch to profound change.
Punch: What to expect - 1
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Punch Tickets

About Punch

Don't miss Punch, a tale of tragedy, hope, and restorative justice from Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Best of Enemies, Dear England) based on the memoir by Jacob Dunne. Book Punch tickets on TodayTix.

Following a sell-out run at Nottingham Playhouse, Punch comes to the Young Vic Theatre stage starring Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Tony Hirst (Hollyoaks), and David Shields (Black Mirror), who are reprising their roles from the Nottingham Playhouse run.

As Adam Penford, Punch director and Nottingham Playhouse artistic director, said, "We have been working on this powerful and unforgettable true-life story for four years. To now be announcing the cast, marking the return of Julie Hesmondhalgh to the Playhouse stage, alongside a formidable set of local actors, led by David Shields in the title role, is a significant moment."

Punch is a play that tells the tale of teenage Dunne, who, looking to fill his Saturday evening with adventures with his friends, finds his life forever changed after an impulsive fatal punch. After a year in prison, Dunne is directionless before coming in contact with his victim's parents, leading to a beautiful tale of forgiveness and transformation.

Run time

2hr 25min. Incl. 1 interval.

Categories

Plays, Off West End

Age

Ages 12+.

Start date

1st March, 2025

End date

26th April, 2025

Stars on stage

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Venue

66 The Cut, London, United Kingdom, SE1 8LZ

Directions

Location: Fringe/Off West End
Railway station: Waterloo
Bus numbers: Pocock Street (Stop V) 40, 63
Car park: National Car Park Ltd

More information about Punch

Punch in London has a talented creative team, including direction by Adam Penford (The Clothes They Stood Up In), lighting design by Robbie Butler (A Christmas Carol), sound design composition by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite (Giant), and production design by Anna Fleischle (Make It Happen), and Dunne is a production consultant. The rest of the excellent cast includes Alec Boaden, Shalisha James-Davis, and Emma Pallant.

Punch is an incredibly moving, heartwarming, gut-wrenching play by one of our finest writers. It’s an extraordinary story both on and off the page and like the very best theatre, it reflects humanity and transcends the stage.” Kwame Kwei-Arman, the Young Vic artistic director, said, “It has captured hearts and minds across the country, resonating not only with local communities but in national politics with recommendations by MPs in the House of Commons. We are proud to be staging this production from the brilliant Nottingham Playhouse. This is vital viewing, I urge you to see it.”

What to watch for

  • The 5-star review from The Times said of the show, "Sometimes you read in reviews about a show being "cathartic", and wonder what that really adds up to. Punch isn't quite perfect. Yet it shows the relief of strong and repressed emotions being released as vividly and as well as any play I've seen. It's a study of the power and the challenges of change and forgiveness. I am so, so happy to have seen it."
  • The play is dedicated to James Hodgkinson, the victim from Jacob Dunne's memoir, as well as "all victims of one-punch."
  • The play raised discussions regarding restorative justice and its impact on reducing reoffending in the House of Commons.
  • James Graham is a prolific and powerful playwright—-in 2022, he earned an Olivier Award for Best of Enemies, and in 2019, he earned a Tony Award for Ink.

Frequently asked questions

What is Punch about?

Punch, a moving tale of restorative justice by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Best of Enemies, Dear England) and based on the memoir by Jacob Dunne, comes to the Young Vic Theatre following its sell-out run at Nottingham Playhouse.

How do you get tickets for Punch?

Check the top of this page for current availability and exclusive offers on Punch tickets on TodayTix.

How much are tickets for Punch?

Punch tickets start at £42.

Which theatre is Punch at?

Punch is at London's Young Vic (Main House), which is located at 66 The Cut, London, SE1 8LZ.

What is the age recommendation for Punch?

Ages 12+.

What is the running time of Punch?

Punch runs for 2hr 25min. Incl. 1 interval.

Who wrote Punch?

James Graham wrote the play that is based on the memoir by Jacob Dunne.

Who directed Punch?

Adam Penford directs the show.

Is Punch appropriate for kids?

Punch is ideal for children ages 12 and above—it includes references to alcohol and substance misuse, mental health, violence, and death. The play also has some strong language.

Is Punch good?

Punch is a wonderfully moving play that had a sell-out run at Nottingham Playhouse before transferring to the Young Vic Theatre. It’s a tale of hope and restorative justice that has even reached the House of Commons.

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