Punch By James Graham To Open At The Apollo Theatre This Autumn
James Graham’s powerful drama Punch, currently enjoying a sold-out run in London at The Young Vic Theatre until 26 April 2025, will transfer to the Apollo Theatre in the West End for a limited season from 22 September to 29 November 2025.
Punch received a great response from both audiences and praise from critics for its run in London and its premiere at Nottingham Playhouse earlier this year, and has already extended its run by two weeks at the Young Vic.
The play is directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford, and written by Olivier Award-winner James Graham (Sherwood, Best of Enemies, Dear England).
The current Young Vic cast will reprise their roles in the West End production, including Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Coronation Street) as Joan, David Shields (Black Mirror, Masters of the Air) as Jacob, and Tony Hirst (Hollyoaks, Coronation Street) as David.
The cast of the production is completed by Alec Boaden (Random Acts, Masters of the Air) as Raf, DS Villiers, and Sam; Shalisha James-Davis (Mary Queen of Scots, Romeo, and Juliet) as Nicola and Clare; and Emma Pallant (Queeniw, Cowbois) as Sandra, Wendy, and Jacob’s Mum. London theatre tickets for Punch in the West End are currently on sale.
Punch tells the true and extraordinary story of tragedy, forgiveness, reform, and redemption and will also showcase in New York this autumn, on Broadway at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre, directed by Adam Penford and produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club.
Teenager Jacob Dunne would spend his Saturday nights thrill-seeking in Nottingham with his friends. On one fateful evening, tragedy strikes when an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. After serving time in prison, Jacob finds himself directionless and lost. In the search for answers – the parents of his victim James – Joan and David ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life.
The Punch creative team includes: Lighting Design by Robbie Butler, Design by Anna Fleischle, Casting by Christopher Worrall CDG, Movement Direction by Leanne Pinder, Sound Design and Composition by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Movement Consultation by Lynne Page, Fight Direction by Kev McCurdy, Voice and Dialect Coaching by Sally Hague, and Production Consultation by Jacob Dunne.
The West End transfer is produced by Eilene Davidson Productions, KPPL Productions, and Mark Gordon Pictures.
Other offerings from James Graham include the Olivier-Award-winning play Dear England which has returned to London at the National Theatre and is currently playing until 24 May 2025. The stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff is now touring the UK. James Graham’s latest play, Make It Happen, will premiere this summer at the Edinburgh International Festival starring Brian Cox.