By Julie Clark, Head of Restorative Justice, Calm Mediation
When the Calm Mediation RJ team were invited to watch Punch, we knew it would be a thought-provoking experience. What we didn’t anticipate was just how powerfully the production would draw us in— professionally and emotionally. Punch is a deeply creative and impactful play that masterfully tells its story through different characters and timelines, immersing the audience in a profound exploration of harm, accountability, and healing.
Punch – The Story
The play centres on a teenager called Jacob Dunne. Jacob is from Nottingham who would normally spend his time hanging out with his friends from the estate where he lived. One night he got into a fight, and after landing a single punch, James Hodgkinson died. Jacob was sent to prison and served his time but after he was released, he found himself lost. Meanwhile his victim’s parent’s Joan and David asked – through the process of RJ – to meet him. And this was life changing.
Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham wrote the play, which brings s powerful account of Restorative Justice into the limelight, and since then more people have been talking about it. It’s a much needed a really good way of building awareness.
The Authenticity of Restorative Justice in Punch
What stood out most to me, both as someone in the audience and as a Restorative Justice Lead, was how Punch authentically captured the essence of the process of RJ. There were many moments that resonated with our team, moments that made us nudge each other in recognition—reminders of the real-life cases we’ve worked on and the transformative power of the process.
One particularly striking scene involved Joan, James’ mother, speaking with the Restorative Justice facilitator. The facilitator asks how Joan would like her to refer to the offender—such a small yet significant question. This moment exemplifies the compassion and sensitivity at the heart of Restorative Justice. It’s these nuanced interactions that create a space where those affected by crime feel heard, respected, and supported in their journey toward healing.
Another deeply moving scene was when Joan expressed that nothing that she had done so far was helping her move forward and that maybe it was time to try something different. This encapsulates a key reason why RJ exists. Even when the criminal justice system delivers the expected outcome, many victims still feel unresolved. There’s a profound parallel between a victim’s experience of all different types of crime and the experience of bereavement – where others may expect you to begin to move forward when in reality, unresolved and often overwhelming emotions continue to weigh heavily and keep you in a static state that you just can’t seem to move beyond. Restorative Justice provides a safe space to explore those thoughts and feelings, ask those lingering unanswered questions and a unique opportunity to explain the personal impact of the harm that has been caused, to the person who caused it. This empowers all the participants to take an active role in their own healing process.
A Balanced Perspective – Understanding the Offender
Alongside the victim’s journey, Punch also provided a compelling insight into the offender’s experience. The play delved into Jacob’s story, exploring the influences that led him to that tragic moment and his reflections afterward. This balanced perspective is crucial because Restorative Justice aims to meet the needs of all participants, ensuring everyone has a voice and that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
A key part of the Restorative Justice process is understanding what happened, who has been affected and how, and what needs to happen next. The process is so profound it is not surprising that some participants go on to campaign against violence, set up charities, or work within prisons to break cycles of harm. Punch captured this transformation beautifully, demonstrating how accountability and dialogue can lead to real change.
Taking Part in the Panel Discussion
Following the matinee performance at The Young Vic in London, I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion alongside Andrew Morris from the Longford Trust and Arnold Yousaf from the Violence Reduction Unit. The discussion was hosted by politician, barrister, and human rights activist Shami Chakrabarti. It was an incredible opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation about the themes explored in Punch and to highlight the real-life impact of Restorative Justice.
The conversation was dynamic and deeply insightful, shedding further light on the importance of Restorative Justice and the complexities surrounding crime, accountability, and rehabilitation. Having this discussion in such a prestigious setting only emphasized the significance of the play and its message.
The conversation was dynamic and deeply insightful, shedding further light on the importance of Restorative Justice and the complexities surrounding crime, accountability, and rehabilitation. Having this discussion in such a prestigious setting only emphasized the significance of the play and its message.
A Privileged Experience
Beyond the play itself, being invited backstage, participating in the panel discussion, and engaging with the actors afterward was a real privilege.
Their passion for Restorative Justice was evident, as was their commitment to portraying it authentically. Having the chance to validate their portrayal and discuss the nuances of the process felt incredibly rewarding.
The thoughtful and well-researched way Punch depicted Restorative Justice was deeply appreciated, and it was heartening to see such an important subject brought to life on stage.
Huge thanks to everyone involved in this production and for the opportunity to be a part of this experience. I feel truly proud to have been there with the team, witnessing a piece of theatre that so powerfully conveyed the transformative impact of Restorative Justice.
