Punchy! The Musical, Courtyard Theatre

Decision-making, soul-searching and the soulful sounds of the 1950s are the core ingredients at the heart of Punchy!, a brand-new musical conceived by composer-producer Jack Terroni that’s premiering at the Courtyard Theatre in Hoxton this November.

Set in post-war London, the story follows the headstrong, erratic and morally conflicted George ‘Punchy’ Armstrong, who’s on an emotional journey to overcome the wrongdoings of his early adulthood. The alarming physical manifestation of his Ego and Soul threaten to throw Punchy off course, as they compete with one another to influence his decisions. Can Punchy stay true to his authentic self? Or will Ego lead him to a path of destruction?

Punchy! The Musical tells a fresh story while cleverly referencing a rich back-catalogue of live drama. Borrowing from gig theatre while presenting a plot with gleeful hints of medieval morality plays. Parallels may also be drawn from musical masters Rodgers and Hammerstein, as the story is channeled through a protagonist, with memories of the duo’s focal rogue Billy Bigelow called to mind, from their 1945 musical Carousel. However, Punchy! with its on-stage band set in the local ‘Jameson’s Arms’, is an immersive experience and bold reimagination of the genre.

Terroni adapted Punchy! from Richard Barrett’s 2012 book What My Soul Told Me, working with with Kevin McMahon and director Tiffany King to bring the story to life on stage. The main inspiration for Punchy was in fact a ‘lost soul’ who lived in Terroni’s mother’s building in Islington back in the 50s.

Terroni’s score is supercharged offering a little something for everyone, with songs drawing on soul, indie-rock and pop.

In the lead role of Punchy is Robert Hook (Peaky Blinders), with Jaymes Sygrove (Blithe Spirit) playing his Ego and Peter Parker Mensah (upcoming movie Bolan’s Shoes) his Soul.

Book now to be among the first audiences to watch Punchy! The Musical live. Click here for tickets.