REVIEW: PUNCH @ THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

🎭 Punch

📍  The Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2TR

🗓 Tuesday 14th April 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

ASTONISHING, POWERFUL, AND HUMAN

The initial dictionary definition of a punch is a “forceful blow with a fist”, the second: “the power to be interesting and have a strong effect on people” I would say both were very true of this incredible piece of theatre. Based on the book “Right from Wrong” by Jacob Dunne, writer James Graham has created an exceptional work which wrings every emotion from its audience. 

PUNCH has been on my must-see list for a while and has constellations of critics’ stars following it. Recently voted “Best New Play” at this year’s Olivier Awards and showered with superlatives, I worry that there is nothing new to say about it. I find, however, an intensely human show that speaks directly to each person watching. A true story that seems almost unbelievable with humour, gut-wrenching lows and tears of joy moments. 

Jacob, one of two lads, is brought up by their caring single mum. They live in an enclosed council estate in Nottingham where life is tough. Jacob finds the values instilled by his mum conflicting with the need to hold his own amongst his peers. The onset of teenage-fuelled rage sees him out with a bunch of lairy kids being his mother's worst nightmare. Drink, drugs, fighting - the result seems crushingly inevitable. He gets a call from his mates after a day of drinking and drugs: "Jacob, there is action going down. Where are you?" He hurries to their support and without thinking or asking questions, punches a guy stood there. One single punch.

The narrative of the first act fizzes and crackles across a simple urban set, with the extraordinary talents of every actor leading us through Jacob's childhood with his Mum and Nan. Jumping back and forth in time between kid's birthday parties and teens squaring up to each other. Accolades at primary school and disruptive behaviour at secondary school. Contrasts which anger and frighten his mother: "This is not who we are Jacob!" He is a teenage lad though; his mates are now his family.

Watching, we feel it all via rapid fire speech and movements. He is heading for trouble. James Graham's gritty script delivers a hard realism. We are on the edge of our seats trying to keep up with the speed of the devastation caused by one punch to many lives.

I cannot praise this hardworking cast enough. Playing multiple roles, they slip between characters with hardly a space to blink between each. Jack James Ryan as Jacob is phenomenal. The way he portrays a good kid growing into a streetwise teen, then angry man, is an absolute tour de force. We can still see the decent person beneath all the macho bravado. Alongside him is the brilliant Elan Butler who plays, amongst others, Jacob's best mate Raf, who is a harder, less likeable kid. Between them they create such huge characters. We recognise them. We've probably crossed the road to avoid them!

Then there are the Mums. Laura Tebbutt shines as Jacob's mum - doing her best to instill in her sons the decency and ambition needed for a good future - watching it go so wrong for Jacob and eventually unable to cope. We follow Joan, mother of punch victim James, on a journey no one wants to travel. Loss, grief, anger, impotence, then ultimately, extreme bravery. Finty Williams is wonderful.

The second act is almost entirely different in tempo. Remorse, reflection and the beginning of hope brings this outstanding production to a seemingly impossible resolution that stretches far into the future. All because of a simple question, “What are you going to do with your future Jacob?"  I am left awestruck by the courage and power of Restorative Justice. I still have so many questions buzzing in my mind. How amazing humans can be! 

PUNCH is not an easy watch; there were many tears from the departing audience. It is, however, compelling theatre, superbly realised by actors and creatives. I feel privileged to have seen it.

Performances continue at Theatre Royal Plymouth until Saturday 18th April. Click here for tickets.

Rosie Sharman-Ward

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Punch was gifted by Theatre Royal Plymouth who invited me to watch the show on behalf of Pink Prince Theatre in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Jack James Ryan as Jacob; Elan Butler as Raf / DS Villiers / Sam; Finty Williams as Joan / Nan; Laura Tebbutt as Wendy / Mum / Sandra; Mathew Flyn as David / Derek / Raf's Dad; Grace Hodgett Young as Clare / Nicola

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 26 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Strobes; Flashing lights; Fire and flame effects; Smoke; Haze; Fake Molotov Cocktail; Strong language; Adult scenes; Nudity; Loud music and noise; References to violence, death, bereavement, alcohol / substance misuse, and mental health

AGE GUIDELINE:

12 +

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