Punch

Punch was KPPL’s first West End production, which won two Olivier Awards in 2026, Best New Play and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Julie Hesmondhalgh. The production will a UK tour in 2027. For more information visit punchtheplay.com

Written by James Graham, Punch is based on Jacob Dunne’s book Right from Wrong.  Directed and commissioned by Adam Penford, it tells the true story of the night Jacob threw a single punch, leading to the tragic death of James Hodgkinson.  After serving time in prison, Jacob finds himself lost and directionless, until the parents of his victim – Joan and David – get in touch. Punch is a powerful story of our times, exploring male violence, social inequality, forgiveness and the possibility of change.

We supported the premiere of Punch at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024 and its transfer to The Young Vic in 2025, enabling a programme of creative engagement work with school and community groups, and in prison.

KPPL co-produced Punch at the Apollo Theatre  with Mark Gordon Pictures and Eilene Davidson Productions in association with the Young Vic and Nica Burns. Across the run we worked in partnership with Go Live Theatre  to provide access to the production for young people and community groups, and with The Forgiveness Project to host After the Punch, a series of post-show conversations that deepened audience dialogue around the issues raised by the play. Extensive education resources were created to support young people’s learning.

Listen to the After the Punch post-show conversations here.

A new schools’ version of Punch is being developed by writer James Graham in collaboration with director Adam Penford, specifically adapted for young people and designed to tour into schools.

Core funding for the schools’ version has been made possible through a commitment from the West End producers and James Graham to forgo royalties and profits, instead channelling funds into sharing the play with young people. This has created a catalyst fund that will be built upon through partnership funding, with the ambition of touring the schools’ version of Punch across the UK in Autumn 2027. To find out more or to register interest, please contact [email protected].

To learn more about Restorative Justice and support Jacob, Joan and David’s campaign to improve victims’ rights please visit Common Ground Justice Project.

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