Leeds Playhouse announces new cast for James Graham’s acclaimed Punch

Leeds Playhouse announces the exciting new cast for Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham’s Punch, a true story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change.

This Nottingham Playhouse production, which will also play at Theatre Royal Plymouth, enjoyed its world premiere at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024 and went on to have a sell-out run at the Young Vic before transferring to Broadway and the West End in autumn 2025. Leeds Playhouse will stage the production from 7 – 11 April.

The cast includes Elan Butler (The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, Southwark Playhouse and UK Tour; Masters of the Air, Apple TV+) as Raf and Sam; Matthew Flynn (The Winter’s Tale, RSC; Say Nothing, Disney/FX) as David, the father of James Hodgkinson; Olivier-nominated Grace Hodgett Young (Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre/St James Theatre; Hadestown, Lyric Theatre) as Clare and Nicola; Jack James Ryan (Sing Street, Lyric Hammersmith; Coronation Street, ITV) as Jacob; Laura Tebbutt (Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre; School of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as Jacob’s mum and Wendy; and Finty Williams (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, National Tour; Run Away, Netflix) as James’ mother, Joan.

Adam Penford, Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse and Director of Punch, said: “The all-new cast will bring their own take to this important story, honouring what these real-life people achieved. As ever, utmost in all our minds, is the responsibility of telling the account with respect and integrity.”

Punch is based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, an unflinching true-life account of the power of forgiveness. It sparked discussions from courthouses to the House of Commons on the topic of Restorative Justice in its original run.

The original creative team return and include: Production Designer Anna Fleischle (Death Of A Salesman, Broadway; 2:22 A Ghost Story, Young Vic Theatre); Lighting Designer Robbie Butler (How to Win Against History, Bristol Old Vic; Death in Venice, Welsh National Opera); Sound Designer and Composer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite (Work It Out, HOME; Lost and Found, Factory International); Movement Director Leanne Pinder (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Mountview; Disruption, The Park Theatre); and Casting Director Christopher Worrall CDG (The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Nottingham Playhouse; Call the Midwife, BBC).

Jacob Dunne, a teenager from The Meadows, Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening in Old Market Square, an impulsive punch leads to 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.

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

Punch plays at Leeds Playhouse 7 – 11 April. Tickets are available here.