★★★★★ ‘Another state-of-the-nation masterpiece from James Graham’ The Telegraph
★★★★★ ‘It is a play every single person should see’ WhatsOnStage
★★★★★ ‘James Graham’s most moving work yet’ The Times
Leeds Playhouse is welcoming the award-winning powerful drama Punch for spring 2026 – the only venue in the North to stage the production by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Dear England, This House, BBC’s Sherwood) after its smash hit Broadway and West End runs.
This true story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change enjoyed a sell-out run at the Young Vic before transferring to Broadway and the West End. It will now be staged at Leeds Playhouse from 7 – 11 April 2026.
Directed by Adam Penford, Punch follows the story of Jacob, a teenager from Nottingham who spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening, an impulsive punch has 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.
Originally created by Nottingham Playhouse and based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, James Graham’s Punch led to the issue of Restorative Justice being raised in Parliament and was cited by a local judge when sentencing a one-punch case. Graham was awarded the Kevin Pakenham Award (Longford Trust) for Punch, and David Shields, who originally played the lead character, won Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards 2024.
Graham, who is from Nottingham, is one of Britain’s most celebrated writers, winning multiple Olivier Awards, as well as BAFTA, Emmy and Tony Award nominations. His political drama, This House, opened at Leeds Playhouse in 2018. In Punch, he turns Jacob Dunne’s unflinching true-life account into a gripping and moving play, that’s energetic, entertaining and heartbreaking.
Adam Penford, Director of Punch, said: “It’s been a whirlwind journey, seeing this Nottingham-based story, made at Nottingham Playhouse, affecting audiences so deeply across the globe. It’s also been affirming to witness the local producers, in every city and venue, taking up our call for a meaningful community engagement programme exploring the themes of the play, ensuring the work offstage is just as impactful as the work onstage.
“We remain ever grateful to the real-life people whose story we’re telling and hope the play continues to help them in 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 welcome back Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham, this time with his acclaimed hit play Punch. Direct from the West End, this production is a dynamic, 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, and to be part of its journey. This will be a compelling piece of theatre for our audiences – one that provokes, inspires and connects.”
CAST TO BE ANNOUNCED.
