‘Punch’ starring Tony Hirst, Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Shields extends run at Young Vic

Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham’s latest five-star show extends its run at London’s Young Vic Theatre by two weeks due to public demand…

The Young Vic Theatre today announced a two-week extension to the London transfer of Punch due to public demand, now set to run in the Young Vic Main House from 1 March to 26 April with press night on 6 March 2025.

Punch is the latest five-star sell-out show from Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham and Nottingham Playhouse, which brings Jacob Dunne’s powerful and moving memoir to the stage. The production was a sell-out run in Nottingham.

Based on the book Right From Wrong, the stage adaption tells an extraordinary true story of tragedy, forgiveness, redemption and reform, and has ignited discussions across the country from theatres to courthouses to the House of Commons. Punch is directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford with production design by Anna Fleischle.

David Shields and the cast of Punch. / Image by Marc Brenner via Cision

Jacob Dunne, 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.

Original cast members Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst and David Shields reprise their roles as Joan, David and Jacob, respectively. The cast is completed by Alec Boaden as Raf, DS Villiers and Sam; Shalisha James-Davis as Clare and Nicola and Emma Pallant as Wendy, Sandra and Jacob’s Mum.

Punch is currently nominated for Best New Play in the 25th Annual WhatsOnstage Awards as well as Best Supporting Performer in a Play for Julie Hesmondhalgh. Earlier this year, David Shields won the award for Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards for his role in Punch. Playwright James Graham was awarded the 2024 Kevin Pakenham Prize from the Longford Trust for Punch and its work in championing prison reform.

James Graham, Playwright:

“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.”

Julie Hesmondhalgh and Tony Hirst in Punch. / Image by Marc Brenner via Cision

James Graham’s stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff begins a UK tour at Theatre Royal Windsor from 29 January 2025 and his Olivier-Award winning play Dear England returns to the National Theatre from 10 March 2025.

Post-show talks will be held to discuss the themes of Punch with Jacob Dunne and guests following the performance on 11 March, 7.30pm, and on 19 March, 2.30pm with a panel of guests, with further details to be announced. The Young Vic presents the Nottingham Playhouse production of Punch in association with KPPL Productions and Mark Gordon Pictures. Tickets are available now at www.youngvic.org 

This production is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.