James Graham’s Punch, which premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024 and saw successful runs at the Young Vic, West End, and Broadway, is set for a major UK tour in 2027. The production’s exploration of a violent incident in Nottingham continues to draw attention ahead of its upcoming regional dates.

Punch, based on Jacob Dunne’s book Right from Wrong, first premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024 and subsequently played at the Young Vic. Following this, the production transferred to the West End and Broadway in autumn 2025 before returning to Nottingham.

The narrative centers on Jacob Dunne, a teenager from The Meadows in Nottingham, whose involvement in a violent incident in Old Market Square led to the death of James Hodgkinson. After serving a prison sentence, Dunne meets Hodgkinson’s parents, Joan and David, an encounter that profoundly alters his life.

After its recent return to Nottingham Playhouse, Punch will continue its journey with upcoming performances at Leeds Playhouse and Theatre Royal Plymouth. Further details of the 2027 tour dates are now confirmed.

The play features the original cast members Shalisha James-Davis, David Shields, and Alec Boaden. Their performances bring to life the intense and complex story at the heart of the production.

James Graham, the playwright behind Punch, was recognised earlier this month with the Services to UK Theatre award at the WhatsOnStage Awards, underscoring his impact on British theatre.

This tour reinforces Punch’s strong connection to regional theatres and its ongoing engagement with socially relevant stories rooted in contemporary UK issues.