Punch, the Young Vic Review
David Shields as Jacob Dunne in Punch. Photo by Marc Brenner
Written by Becky K for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Following Nottingham Playhouse’s sold-out run last year (read our review here), James Graham’s powerful telling of Jacob Dunne’s real-life story makes its debut at The Young Vic. With an immediate standing ovation, Punch has established itself as a must-see production, sparking discussions around crime and restorative justice from the classroom to the House of Commons.
Based on Dunne’s book, ‘Right From Wrong’, the story follows Jacob as a teenager. Struggling in school, and mixing with the wrong crowds, he falls into the habit of mischief on Saturday nights in the streets of Nottingham, where one fateful evening takes a turn for the worse when Jacob’s one singular punch has fatal consequences. After serving prison time, the victim’s parents, Joan and David, reach out to Jacob in the hope of finding answers, which leads to an inspiring turnaround in Jacob’s life.
Dunne’s story was expertly told through Graham’s clever pacing of the text, flipping between Jacob’s internal narrative and then the stories of those around him. Dunne directs this narrative superbly, creating exciting crescendos in the build up of Jacob’s behaviour, with stylised movement choreography from the ensemble to create the relentless Saturday night activity. This movement is contrasted beautifully with the heartbreaking stillness of Joan (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and David (Tony Hirst), who are processing how to proceed with the irrevocable loss of their son.
All this is encapsulated by an outstanding central performance from David Shields, whose rhythm and sensitivity were captivating throughout.
Likewise, the pivotal moment where Jacob has his initial meeting with Joan and David is incredibly raw. The dialogue came across as extremely real, as if verbatim from the real conversations that took place. This achieved a very emotional impact and served as a heartfelt tribute to the people behind the play. Jacob’s line, “It will always astound me, the people I harmed the most in the world were the ones who believed and helped me the most in return” left a lasting impression that evokes hope and advocacy.
The multi-rolling ensemble also played a vital role in highlighting the social structures that Jacob operated in. Emma Pallant did particularly well at portraying the nervousness of Jacob’s mother, who feels betrayed by the schooling system, as well as Jacob’s probation officer, who feels that the system is failing those she is trying to help. While the tone became quite didactic towards the end, it felt necessary from an educational perspective, where I could see a clear intention from Graham and Dunne to have this story accessible for all audiences to understand.
The production also comes to life through Anna Fleischle’s set. It was recognisably a Nottingham landscape, with the sight of Market Square and a mezzanine acting as Trent Bridge. Accompanied by concrete underpasses, metal rails and the windows in the city skyline lighting up, the set was rich in detail that lent itself to some striking imagery and poignant staging positions.
On at the Young Vic until 26th April, Punch is a refreshing addition to The Young Vic’s programme, establishing itself as a very important piece of theatre. Punch was originally commissioned and produced by Nottingham Playhouse and is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and the victims of one-punch.
★★★★★
