Why me? to join Michael Palin in a post-show conversation at Punch in the West End
This is a blog by Why me? and The Forgiveness Project.
Why me? is delighted to be working with The Forgiveness Project and the producers of Punch as it moves to a run in London’s West End, as part of a post-show conversation about Restorative Justice. The play will be on at the Apollo Theatre, running from Monday 22nd September – Saturday 29th November 2025.
The play explores the story of Jacob, a teenager from Nottingham, who spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening, 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 Hodgkinson – ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life. A powerful true story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change.
A series of weekly post-show conversations taking place on Tuesdays throughout the West End run of the critically-acclaimed Nottingham Playhouse production of Punch has been announced.
The play is by Olivier Award-winning Nottingham playwright, James Graham, based on the book ‘Right From Wrong’ by Jacob Dunne, and directed by Adam Penford. It transfers to the West End following sold-out runs at Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic.
The post-show conversation series – After the Punch – will run Tuesday nights from 30th September, featuring a variety of expert panellists. Curated by The Forgiveness Project, the series will be co hosted by a range of Charity Partners from across the social justice and education sectors, including Why me?, on topics including The Process of Restorative Justice, What Makes a Man? and The Story Behind Punch.
Why me? is delighted to be taking part in the panel titled Facing the people we harm, during Restorative Justice Week this year, on Tuesday 18th November. This conversation explores the promise and possibilities of Restorative Justice. What does it mean to take responsibility and accountability for harm? What are the factors that make this process possible? And in what ways can it support profound transformative change?
Hosted in partnership with Why me?, Calm Mediation and Remedi, the speakers will include Julie Clark from Calm Mediation, Actor, Writer and Presenter Michael Palin, and Nick Dawson, Author and Ambassador for Why me?.
Punch is dedicated to James Hodgkinson and all victims of one-punch.
The full list of post-show conversations – ‘After the punch’ is as follows:
Stepping into the shoes of another – Tuesday 30 September
After crime, how is it possible to embark on a journey of understanding?
Theatre has a profound capacity to build empathy and open the door to understanding. This conversation explores what it takes for a victim of crime to meet with the person who has harmed them; and asks how do you forge a path toward understanding, empathy and possibly even forgiveness.
Hosted by The Forgiveness Project, the speakers include: Marina Cantacuzino (The Forgiveness Project – Founder) and Sandra Barefoot (The Forgiveness Project – Executive Director), Jo Berry (Public Speaker) and cast member Julie Hesmondhalgh.
What makes a man? – Tuesday 7 October
Masculinity, shame and what lies beneath the surface.
This conversation explores the influences that shape young men and boys’ understanding of masculinity in today’s society. The discussion will consider factors such as shame and vulnerability, social media, families and popular culture.
Hosted in partnership with Football Beyond Borders – Lost Boys Taskforce, the speakers include: Nico Concha (Social and Emotional Learning Practitioner at Football Beyond Borders), Dr Kenny Imafidon MBE (Entrepreneur, Author and Social Commentator), Gethin Jones (Unlocking Potential – Founder) and cast member Tony Hirst.
The story behind Punch – Tuesday 14 October
On truth, adaptation, and the power of lived experience.
A candid discussion with the real people behind the creation of Punch.
How theatre can shape emotion, challenge assumptions, and humanise harm.
The speakers include: Jacob Dunne (Author of Right from Wrong), James Graham (Playwright), Adam Penford (Director) and cast member David Shields.
The process of Restorative Justice – Tuesday 21 October
Hear from the real people who engaged in Restorative Justice and inspired the play.
This conversation invites the real people who inspired this play to share their own lived experience of Restorative Justice and its enduring impact to this present day.
Hosted in partnership with Remedi, the speakers include: Jacob Dunne (Author of Right from Wrong), Joan Scourfield (Mother of James Hodgkinson), Nicola Fowler (Restorative Justice Practitioner for Jacob, Joan and David) and cast member Shalisha James-Davis.
Beyond the sentence – Tuesday 28 October
Does a prison sentence really end when you leave prison?
What awaits people returning on release into their communities and the workplace? How willing are employers and the public to believe in reform and rehabilitation? And how can those with lived experience sharing their stories, setbacks and success stories change perceptions? This conversation will show how taking your second chance depends on a complicated range of issues.
Hosted in partnership with The Longford Trust, the speakers include, Roxanne Foster (Longford Scholar), Jimmy McGovern (Screenwriter), Andrew Morris (Longford Scholar) and Ronke Phillips (Presenter and Reporter).
It takes a village to raise a child – Tuesday 4 November
What role do communities need to play in raising our children?
This conversation explores the vital components and (real-world practice) needed for an entire community to share responsibility in bringing up our children so that they feel they belong and can flourish into adulthood. How can we all get involved in supporting raising our children?
Hosted in partnership with St Giles Trust & Just for Kids Law, the speakers include: Aika Stephenson (CEO Just for Kids Law), Ciaran Thapar (Director of public affairs and communications at the Youth Endowment Fund) Desmond Skyers (St Giles Trust – Senior Mentor) and Jacob Dunne (Author of Right from Wrong).
Invisible wounds – Tuesday 11 November
How do we understand the effect of harm passed down the generations and empower young people to live well and thrive?
Not all wounds bleed. Some are carried silently along an intergenerational pathway. This conversation explores how the unseen forces of intergenerational trauma, and pain, can shape the behaviours of young lives today. It also asks how understanding intergenerational trauma can empower people to live well and thrive.
Hosted in partnership with Oasis Restore, the speakers include: Steve Chalke (Founder of the Oasis Trust), Dr Gwen Adshead (Psychotherapist), Danielle Manson (Barrister) and cast member Emma Pallant.
Facing the people we harm (Restorative Justice Week) – Tuesday 18 November
Exploring the promise of restorative justice.
This conversation explores the promise and possibilities of restorative justice. What does it mean to take responsibility and accountability for harm? What are the factors that make this process possible? And in what ways can it support profound transformative change?
Hosted in partnership with Why me?, Calm Mediation and Remedi, the speakers include: Julie Clark (Calm Mediation), Michael Palin (Actor, Writer and Presenter) and Nick Dawson (Author and Ambassador for Why me?).
Justice beyond the headlines – Tuesday 25 November
Bridging divides to find common ground on justice
Hosted by Jacob Dunne, this discussion will include former Labour strategist, now writer and broadcaster, Alastair Campbell and Alice Dawnay, co-founder of The Common Ground Justice Project. Together they’ll explore how Britain can move past political divides and work towards a justice system that better serves victims, communities, and society as a whole.
Hosted in partnership with The Common Ground Justice Project, the speakers include: Jacob Dunne (Author of Right from Wrong, Common Ground Justice Project), Alice Dawnay (Common Ground Justice Project) and Alastair Campbell (Writer and Broadcaster).
In addition, three performances with all tickets at £10 for schools, community and special interest groups, curated by charity partner Go Live Theatre, will offer wide access to the play in the West End. An extensive education pack, aimed at the PSHE and Drama curriculums, will be made freely available via www.PunchThePlay.com, providing resources for schools’ work around the play during the West End run, and in the future.
