Nottingham Playhouse, in association with KPPL Productions, Mark Gordon Pictures and Eilene Davidson Productions, is proud to present Punch by James Graham, based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne and directed by Adam Penford.

Back by popular demand, and following its sell-out run at the Young Vic along with acclaimed transfers to both Broadway and the West End, Punch returns to Nottingham in March 2026. The production will then transfer to Leeds Playhouse from 7–11 April and Theatre Royal Plymouth from 14–18 April 2026.

Written by Nottingham-born James Graham (Dear England, This House, BBC’s Sherwood), Punch was a 5-star, sell-out sensation during its initial run at Nottingham Playhouse, receiving nightly standing ovations and extraordinary audience feedback. The play sparked national debate, with the issue of restorative justice raised in Parliament and cited by a judge when sentencing a one-punch case.

The play has earned major recognition, with James Graham awarded the Kevin Pakenham Award (Longford Trust) and David Shields winning Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards 2024. It became Nottingham Playhouse’s highest grossing new play and went on to achieve the highest ever box office revenue in the history of London’s Young Vic. Beyond its theatrical impact, Punch inspired community engagement initiatives including post-show “Talking Circles,” exhibitions with The Forgiveness Project, and partnerships with restorative justice charities such as Remedi and Calm Mediation.

Based on Jacob Dunne’s memoir, Punch tells the true story of a teenager from Nottingham whose impulsive act leads to devastating consequences. After serving prison time, Jacob is confronted by the parents of his victim, James, and begins a journey of reckoning, forgiveness, and profound personal change. At once energetic, heartbreaking, and deeply human, Graham’s adaptation is a powerful exploration of hope, accountability, and the possibility of transformation.

Adam Penford, Director of Punch and Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse, said: “It’s been a whirlwind journey, seeing this Nottingham-based story, made at Nottingham Playhouse, affect audiences so deeply across the globe. It’s also been affirming to witness local producers, in every city and venue, embrace our call for meaningful community engagement, ensuring the work offstage is just as impactful as the work onstage. We remain ever grateful to the real-life people whose story we are telling and hope the play continues to support their campaigning. This production is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all other victims of one punch.”

Shawab Iqbal, Chief Executive of Leeds Playhouse, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be welcoming back Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham, this time with his acclaimed hit play Punch. Direct from the West End, this production is a bold, urgent and deeply human story that speaks powerfully to our times. We’re thrilled to be the first and only venue in the North to host it.”

James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Plymouth, added: “We’re honoured to be presenting Punch in our spring 2026 season. It is a seminal and urgent work about the power to forgive, beautifully told through James Graham’s award-winning play. It is an anchor feature of our upcoming season and we look forward to welcoming the company to Plymouth.”

Punch at Nottingham Playhouse is sponsored by Nottingham Trent University.