Punch Tickets
James Graham's critically acclaimed, sold-out show transfers to the West EndThis production is recommended for ages 12+
Performance dates
22 September - 29 November 2025
Run time: 2hrs 25 minutes
Includes interval
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Punch London tickets
Following sold-out runs at the Nottingham Playhouse and Young Vic, Punch, transfers to the West End for a strictly limited 10-week season from 22nd September. Don’t miss your chance to see this critically-acclaimed new play in a ‘powerhouse of a production’ (Whatsonstage) at the Apollo Theatre. Book your official tickets today!
About Punch
An extraordinary true story is adapted for the stage in a gripping, high-energy and deeply moving production
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.
Facts and critical acclaim
- Punch is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.
- Playwright, James Graham, won his first Olivier Award, for Labour of Love as Best New Comedy in 2018 - his other play, Ink, was also nominated for an Olivier in the same year!
- Artistic Director, Adam Penford, accepted the Theatre of the Year 2025 award in The Stage Awards, on behalf of his venue - Nottingham Playhouse.
- Punch’s run at both Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic were complete sell-outs
- ★★★★★ ‘Another state-of-the-nation masterpiece from James Graham' - The Telegraph
Please bear in mind
Punch contains strong language, references to violence, death, bereavement, alcohol and substance misuse, mental health issues, knives on stage and is based on real life people and events. The production is recommended for ages 12+ and has loud music throughout, flashing lights throughout , strobe lighting, sudden noises, theatrical smoke and fire/flame effects.
Punch cast
- Raf/DS Villers/Sam - Alec Boaden
- Joan/Nan - Julie Hesmondhalgh
- David / Derek / Tony / Raf's Dad - Tony Hirst
- Clare/Nicola - Shalisha James-Davis
- Jacob’s Mum / Wendy / Sandra - Emma Pallant
- Jacob - David Shields
- Understudy David / Derek / Tony / Raf's Dad - Rob Alexander-Adams
- Understudy Raf / DS Villers / Sam - Joshua Glenister
- Understudy Joan / Nan / Jacob's Mum / Wendy / Sandra - Rebecca Todd
- Understudy Clare / Teacher / Nicola - Marnie Walkinshaw
Punch creatives
- Based on the book Right From Wrong by Jacob Dunne
- Playwright - James Graham
- Director - Adam Penford
- Production Designer - Anna Fleischle
- Lighting Designer - Robbie Butler
- Sound Designer and Composer - Alexandra Faye Braithwaite
- Movement Director - Leanne Pinder
- Movement Consultant - Lynne Page
Upcoming Performance Times
Access
Audio Described Performance –1st November at 2.30pm , Captioned Performance - 15th November at 2.30pm , BSL Performance – 20th November at 7.30pmLatest Punch News
News / Celebrities
Last chance to see: 6 critically acclaimed London shows closing soon
This Halloween, don’t let the sweetest treats disappear before you’ve had a slice of the action, the real trick would be missing out on some of the finest theatre currently on offer in London. FOMO (fear of missing out) has never felt so urgent: six exceptional productions are disappearing from the West End faster than a fun-size Snickers disappears on 31 October (just my house?). So carve out some time, book those tickets and immerse yourself in stories you’ll remember - before they vanish for good.
Punch at the Apollo Theatre (ends 29 Nov)
Based on the true story of Jacob Dunne, James Graham’s powerful new drama unpacks how a teenager’s single impulsive punch leads to a manslaughter charge, prison, remorse, and finally, transformation. After the incident, Jacob is lost and guilt-ridden - only through the bereaved parents’ courageous outreach does he begin to rebuild, not only his life, but also his communities. Following sold-out runs at the Young Vic and Nottingham Playhouse, this emotional and deeply impactful West End transfer “Doesn’t leave a dry eye in the house” (London Theatre).
Perfect for fans of: London Road and Blood Brothers.
Clarkston at Trafalgar Theatre (Ends 22 Nov)
In the UK premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s modern frontier story, two young men; Jake, an optimistic liberal-arts grad with Huntington’s disease, and Chris, a closeted night-shift worker, find each other in a rural American town, and through connection begin to imagine something beyond their routines. According to our review, “Clarkston is a lyrical, heart-breaking meditation on self-acceptance and survival. Quiet, searching, and alive with possibility, it shows how even in the most ordinary of places, two young men can stumble upon something extraordinary.” Starring Joe Locke (in his West End debut) alongside Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville, this is “theatrical magic of the most powerful kind” (Queerly).
Perfect for fans of: The Whale and People, Places and Things
The Weir at Harold Pinter Theatre (ends 6 Dec)
Directed by its writer Conor McPherson, and starring Brendan Gleeson in his West End debut, this revival of a modern classic is set on a stormy night in a rural Irish pub. Four men share ghost stories - until a mysterious young woman tells her own, and what begins as banter becomes profound. Our review states: “What makes The Weir so beloved is this balance: small in scale but enormous in impact… you don’t feel like you’ve watched a play so much as spent an evening in a pub where strangers became companions.” While Gleeson’s portrayal of Jack is singled out as both “commanding and deeply moving” by The Times.
Perfect for fans of: The Woman in Black and The Ferryman.
20 Oct, 2025 | By Sian McBride
Apollo Theatre Safety Policy
Health & safety measures
Regular visible cleaning of all touchable surfaces before and after performancesPaperless or print at home ticketsAvailability of hand sanitiserValid all performances 13 October - 8 November 2025. Book by 27 October 2025.