Just a few days ago, the drama department held a trip to go see the widely appraised play Punch. The play centres around Jacob Dunne, a young teenager from Nottingham, whose single punch kills a man. The aftermath that unfolds is seen through his journey through prison and the restorative justice system with the victim’s parents. The play focuses on the legal aftermath and the crucial restorative justice process that unfolds as the narrative progresses.
James Graham, the writer, uses the real life case that happened a few years ago to spin an emotionally charged, politically aware play that encapsulates the raw storytelling. Exploration of guilt, grief, masculinity and the possibility of redemption all feature themselves in Jacob’s journey. Graham uses the play to interrogate toxic young masculinity and the social conditions that shape the working class youth. It questions whether a single act should define a person forever.
The production stages the memories in a fractured structure to focus on the consequences and aftermath. The script is notable for its balance with serious moments and stark contrasts of humour. Moreover, it portrays the many events that can shape a person’s life and mould them into the person they are going to be. The play speaks a lot of the young offenders and the cycle they face in re-entering the world they once belonged to.
By leaving audience members with a hard-hitting end it forces them to question the society that they live in and the people around them. Both victim and perpetrator are presented on the stage, giving way to the flawed characteristics of humans and the construction that can emerge from catastrophe.
Punch is a gripping and ethical piece of theatre that provokes audience members to truly interrogate crime, justice and social policy. There is a sense of uncomfortableness as we are faced with questions on responsibility, forgiveness and the judicial system. It is a compassionate piece that truly delivers a true ‘punch’.