Powerful and intense: The Shawshank Redemption at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff – review

Thanks to Wales Millennium Centre for providing us with review tickets for The Shawshank Redemption

Widely hailed as one of the greatest films of the 20th century, The Shawshank Redemption gets the stage treatment in the highly acclaimed production currently at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre as part of its UK tour.

Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns’ adaptation draws heavily on both the film and the Stephen King novella, bringing some uncomfortable themes to the stage but with hope and friendship ultimately shining through.

Joe McFadden (star of TV’s Heartbeat and Holby City) is Andy Dufresne, serving a double life sentence at the notorious Shawshank facility for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover, a crime he maintains he didn’t commit. He’s excellent in the role – unassuming and understated in his words and actions but conveying so much anger and frustration underneath.

Ben Onwukwe (best known for London’s Burning) is Red, narrating elements of the story and befriending Andy as he adjusts to prison life, with warmth and dignity. Bill Ward is utterly chilling as the bullying and corrupt prison warden Stammas, veering from charming to cruel in an instant. Kenneth Jay’s portrayal of Brooksie, the prison librarian who is so institutionalised he’d rather stay behind bars than get parole, is heartbreaking, while Kyle Harrison-Pope brings much to the role of Tommy as we see his youthful optimism crushed in the cruellest of ways.

Graham Elwell as Bryan Hadley, Ashley D Gayle as Rooster, Jeffrey Harmer as Entwistle, Sean Kingsley as Bogs Diamond, Samarge Hamilton as Rico, Aein Nasseri as Nelson and Owen Oldroyd as Dawkins complete the cast, all deserving of mention as they bring depth to each of the prisoners and guards.

Gary McCann’s stage design – prison cells on both sides and a guard’s walkway above – is claustrophobic and oppressive, with the subtle lighting and sound adding so much tension. The Donald Gordon auditorium is utterly captivated throughout, with occasional witty one liners breaking the breath-holding silence. Being so close to the action makes it such an intense and powerful experience, you feel a part of it in such a different way to the film.

It’s difficult not to be incensed by some of the injustices the drama explores. Although Stephen King didn’t base his novella on a a true story as such, so much rings true with real accounts of prison life. But, as with the film, hope shines through, culminating in the beautiful closing scenes which gave me goosebumps.  

The age guidance is 12 (I took my 16 year old who thought it was excellent) – there are several violent scenes, including some of a sexual nature, as well as explicit language and suicide references which means it isn’t really suitable for much younger audiences. For teens though, it’s an excellent introduction to an absolute classic, whether they have seen the film or not. And likewise for grown ups, whether it’s one of your all-time favourites, one you watched years ago and only vaguely remember, or you’ve never seen or read it before, it’s a thought-provoking production that is both heartbreaking and heartfelt.

The Shawshank Redemption is at Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday 17 January.

Tickets, from £18, are still available. Age guidance 12+ (no under 2s). Includes themes of prison life, violence, strong language, and scenes of a sexual nature.

Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including one interval.

See the Wales Millennium Centre website for more information.

Also coming up at Wales Millennium Centre:

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, 21-24 January

Horrible Histories – The Concert, 11 February

Here & Now: The Steps Musical, 3-7 February

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, 10-28 February

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes, 3-7 March

Mean Girls, 10-14 March