New releases from Bill Callahan, The Delines, and Beck
Routine delinquency
MARY CONWAY admires an accomplished drama that explores the consequences of a fatal punch on a desolate housing estate
LOOKING FOR JUSTICE: David Shields as Jacob Dunne in Punch
[Marc Brenner]
STEPHANIE DENNISON and ALFREDO LUIZ DE OLIVEIRA SUPPIA explain the political context of The Secret Agent, a gripping thriller that reminds us why academic freedom needs protecting
TONY BURKE speaks to producer and broadcaster LUCY DURAN about her new project — Guitari Baro
JONATHAN TAYLOR is intrigued how good storytelling can make a hobby as obsessional as metal detecting seem fascinating
ROB HARGREAVES is moved by the way that memories of the Spanish civil war still stir our passions
RON JACOBS sees similarities between the personality of the the Spanish Dictator Francisco Franco, and Donald Trump
Punch
Young Vic
PUNCH lands at the Young Vic with all flags flying.
Commissioned by Nottingham Playhouse where it premiered last May to glowing reviews, it must, of necessity, make its mark in the capital. As another blazing new hit from the sensationally successful James Graham and as a fine-tuned production from director Adam Penford (also artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse), it fixes on a true local story and packages it impeccably.
The tale tells of one Jacob Dunne who — on a relatively routine delinquent night out — threw a punch at a young trainee paramedic, accidentally causing his death. What seems to result in devastation for all, finds new and unexpected hope for Jacob and the dead man’s parents as they pick themselves up, cross the divide and commune with one another.
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