Punch: Olivier-Winning Play Adapts for Schools to Inspire a New Generation
Olivier-winning Punch adapts for schools, taking its powerful story of accountability and hope to young audiences across the UK.
Following three sold-out UK runs and a simultaneous West End and Broadway debut, James Graham’s Punch is set for a new life: a schools tour designed to reach thousands of young people.
The play, based on Jacob Dunne’s Right From Wrong, tells the true story of a teenager whose impulsive act alters lives forever. In the West End, over 5,700 pupils from 171 schools attended performances, with tickets priced as low as £10. The production also offered extensive educational resources, including a free teacher’s pack to support classroom engagement.
For the schools adaptation, Graham will work with director Adam Penford to tailor the play for young audiences, ensuring the story resonates while retaining its urgency and emotional impact. Profits from the West End run are funding the project, with the playwright and producers declining royalties to maximise accessibility. The schools version will be produced out of Nottingham Playhouse in 2027, with plans to tour nationwide.
Kate Pakenham, producer, highlights the cultural significance:
“West End success means we can now take Punch directly to schools. Teachers have told us the play has enormous potential within the national curriculum. Its themes of restorative justice, accountability, and empathy are relevant to young people today.”
Images by Marc Brenner
Punch has received critical acclaim, including a London Evening Standard Award shortlist for Best Play, and has been seen by over 125,000 people across the UK and US. Beyond awards, the production partnered with charities such as The Forgiveness Project to host post-show conversations and campaigns advocating for victims’ rights.
James Graham reflects on the project’s ethos:
“The story belongs to real people. By prioritising access over profit, we’ve ensured that the play reaches the young audiences who can most benefit from its message. This is theatre as a tool for engagement and social awareness.”
The schools tour marks the next chapter in Punch’s journey, bringing its powerful story and cultural impact into classrooms across the UK, and demonstrating that theatre can be both a critical success and a civic force.
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
