Nottingham Playhouse today announces the brand-new cast for James Graham’s Punch, as it returns to Nottingham, and transfers to Leeds Playhouse and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Following its world premiere at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024, Punch went on to a sell-out run at the Young Vic, followed by acclaimed West End and Broadway transfers in autumn 2025.
The cast includes Elan Butler (The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, Southwark Playhouse and UK Tour; Masters of the Air, Apple TV+) as Raf and Sam; Matthew Flynn (The Winter’s Tale, RSC; Say Nothing, Disney/FX) as the father of James Hodgkinson, David; Olivier-nominated Grace Hodgett Young (Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre/St James Theatre; Hadestown, Lyric Theatre) as Clare and Nicola; Jack James Ryan (Sing Street, Lyric Hammersmith; Coronation Street, ITV) as Jacob; Laura Tebbutt (Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre; School of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as Jacob’s mum and Wendy; and Finty Williams (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, National Tour; Run Away, Netflix) as James’ mother, Joan.
Adam Penford, Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse and Director of Punch, said:
“I’m excited to bring Punch back home to Nottingham after the production’s success in the West End and on Broadway. The all-new cast will bring their own take to this important story, honouring what these real-life people achieved. As ever, utmost in all our minds, is the responsibility of telling the account with respect and integrity.”
Punch is based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, an unflinching true-life account of the power of forgiveness. It sparked discussions from courthouses to the House of Commons on the topic of Restorative Justice in its original run.
Alongside the play, a number of strands of community engagement activities will give a platform to those affected by its themes. A Talking Circle structure will provide a space for audiences to gather and reflect on the show, and post-show discussions on related themes in the play will be led by expert external speakers. Audience members and key community stakeholders will be welcomed to take part.
The original creative team returns and includes: Production Designer Anna Fleischle (Death Of A Salesman, Broadway; 2:22 A Ghost Story, Young Vic Theatre); Lighting Designer Robbie Butler (How to Win Against History, Bristol Old Vic; Death in Venice, Welsh National Opera); Sound Designer and Composer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite (Work It Out, HOME; Lost and Found, Factory International); Movement Director Leanne Pinder (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Mountview; Disruption, The Park Theatre); and Casting Director Christopher Worrall CDG (The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Nottingham Playhouse; Call the Midwife, BBC).
Jacob Dunne, a teenager from The Meadows, Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening in Old Market Square, 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 story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change.
“Another state-of-the-nation masterpiece from James Graham.”
5 stars, The Telegraph“James Graham’s most moving work yet.”
5 stars, The Times
Punch is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.
Listings:
Punch
Nottingham Playhouse
13 Mar – 4 April 2026
Press night: Wed 18 March, 7pm
Access Performances:
BSL interpreted: Fri 27 Mar, 7.30pm
Captioned: Sat 28 Mar, 7.30pm
Audio Described + Touch Tour: Thu 26 Mar, 7.30pm; Sat 28 Mar, 2.30pm
Relaxed performance: Tue 31 Mar, 7.30pm
Punch at Nottingham Playhouse is sponsored by Nottingham Trent University.
Leeds Playhouse
7 – 11 April 2026
Access Performances:
BSL interpreted: Wed 8 Apr, 7.30pm
Captioned: Wed 8 Apr, 7.30pm
Audio Described + Touch Tour: Fri 10 Apr, 7.30pm
Access productions at Leeds Playhouse are sponsored by Principal and Access Partner Irwin Mitchell
Theatre Royal Plymouth
14 – 18 April 2026
Press night: Tue 14 April, 7.30pm
Access Performances:
Captioned: Thu 16 Apr, 7.30pm
BSL interpreted: Fri 17 Apr, 7.30pm
Audio Described + Touch Tour: Sat 18 Apr, 2.30pm
Posted on 05 February 2026
