Why a play about a fatal punch has gripped younger audiences and will tour schools

James Graham's play Punch touches on gang culture, restorative justice and masculinity in crisis, and for the playwright the true story was a privilege to tell

When thousands of schoolchildren came to see James Graham's play Punch in the West End, the playwright, actors and producers were struck by one thing. Despite fears about social media eroding attention spans, the pupils were engrossed for two and a half hours and many stayed for Q&A sessions afterwards.

They were the most remarkable atmospheres we've ever experienced," Graham said. Julie [Hesmondhalgh, one of the actors] said it was one of the highlights of her performing career. You always hear that theatre doesn't fit the TikTok generation, but we could tell these young people were completely connected to the themes of what it's like to grow up as a teenager, to struggle, survive and evolve."