Review: Punch, Young Vic Theatre - a thought provoking and emotional journey
07/03/2025
Jacob Dunne (David Shields) is an unruly youth from 'The Meadows' in Nottingham, an experimentally-designed, 1970s council estate that has created rat runs of dark alley for youths to play or move around undetected.
It's described as like being in a live video game by Jacob, and is a place with two paths: keep your head down or drugs and gangs. Struggling in school and seeing no future prospects, he chooses the latter, using his fists to maintain status within his friendship group.
A good night out is drink, drugs and a fight until, with just one punch, tragedy strikes.
What life could or should Jacob have after he has killed James Hodgkinson, a young man out for a drink with his dad after watching the cricket? Besides a short prison sentence, what justice is there for James's parents, Joan (Julia Hesmondhalgh) and David (Tony Hirst)?
James Graham's play, Punch, is based on Jacob Dunne's book Right From Wrong and was originally produced for Nottingham Playhouse.
The fast-paced first half uses clever lighting by Robbie Butler and movement by Leanne Pinder to transport us into the world of Jacob - school, estate, church, pub, clubs and home with his despairing mum (Emma Pallant).
A more contemplative second half carries punches of a different sort. This isn't about retaliation for the loss of an innocent life but taking a much more challenging but ultimately more fulfilling conciliatory path.
Emotionally wrought, Graham skillfully peppers the darker moments with genuine humour, creating a light relief.
David Shields is mesmerising, navigating Jacob's journey from lairy jack-the-lad to angry, scared, guilt-ridden and purposeful. Julie Hesmondhalgh also stands out, tenderly navigating a mother grappling with grief and trying to find answers about her son's death.
The rest of the cast skillfully take on remaining key and secondary roles, sometimes simply adding a layer of clothing to denote a different character. It is slickly done.
Punch is a fascinating and thought-provoking story. It takes you on an emotional journey with laughter and tears; it's brilliantly performed and staged. I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Punch, Young Vic Theatre
Written by James Graham based on the book Right From Wrong by Jacob Dunne
Directed by Adam Penford
Cast: Julie Hesmondhalgh, David Shields, Tony Hirst, Alec Boaden, Shalisha James-Davis and Emma Pallant
Running time: 2 hours and 25 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Booking until 26 April; for more information and to buy tickets, visit the Young Vic website.
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