Punch 2026
By James Graham
Based on the book Right From Wrong by Jacob Dunne
Directed by Adam Penford
Nottingham Playhouse
Weds 18th March – Sat 4th April
Based on true events, Punch tells the story of local lad, Jacob Dunne (Jack James Ryan) and the fateful consequences of a drink and drug-fuelled night out in Nottingham. Dunne throws a punch at a stranger, but just one punch is all it takes, to end the life of 28-year-old paramedic, James Hodgkinson. After serving 14 months in prison, Jacob returns to the Meadows homeless and directionless. What happens next is remarkable.
Jacob engages in a programme of restorative justice whereby he meets James’s parents, Joan (Finty Williams) and David (Matthew Flynn). They are seeking answers as to what happened to their son, which leads to a powerful and deeply affecting study of grief, accountability and what it means to forgive.
Act 1 primarily focuses on the build-up to this meeting. The stage has been transformed to a greyscale urban landscape, with a curving monolithic bridge and concrete underpass. The dark and oppressive Set Design by Anna Fleischle leans into pathetic fallacy. How do boys like Jacob escape from the violence and toxic masculinity that seems hardwired into their surroundings? How do you make your way in life when temptation and the need to prove yourself is inescapable?
Lighting Design by Robbie Butler and Sound Design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite add to this effect as we see and hear the sights and the sounds of the city. There are gangs everywhere grooming youngsters and ‘weed is where it starts,’ Jacob tells us, whilst freely admitting that doing bad things creates good feelings.
His monologues to the audience are brilliantly written by James Graham. Jacob (or ‘Jacub’ in Nottingham dialect) raps and riffs on his life growing up, drawing us into his world, and helping us to understand the challenges and difficulties he faces. Ryan perfectly captures the disconnect and freneticism. He is aided by skilful Movement Direction by Leanne Pinder which brings the ensemble together in cohesive and often surprising ways.
Elan Butler, Grace Hodgett Young and Laura Tebbutt round off the cast, and all should be congratulated on their multi-role performances. Director Adam Penford has ensured that they make each character their own and even smaller roles such as Jacob’s brother, Sam (Butler) make a significant impact.
The exposition in the earlier part of Punch is necessary to the pay-off in Act 2 when Jacob finally meets Joan and David. This is also their story and the story of their son. How does one make sense of such a senseless act? We see Joan grapple with this, and it manifests in tortured micro-expressions, the constant tugging at her cardigan, or a tremor in the voice which signal inner turmoil. Your heart will break as Joan and David listen back to voicemails from James. These are such intelligent and empathetic performances from both Williams and Flynn.
Punch is coruscating political and social commentary, yet it doesn’t feel heavy-handed because it is rooted in truth. That ‘one-punch’ was devastating for all involved. Its effects were far-reaching and continue to this day. There are no easy answers, but the efforts of all concerned are inspirational. I hope that Punch and its message will continue to be heard far into the future.
This play is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.
Age Guidance: 12+
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 25 minutes (including 20-minute interval).
Photos Pamela Raith
