The Shawshank Redemption-Royal Windsor Theatre.

Adapted for the stage play from the original novella The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. Royal Windsor Theatre has this gripping and moving play onstage from 3rd to 6th September 2025.

Ben Onwukwe stars as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding who’s the “go to” person in prison who can get hold of anything you might need inside. How he does it is never disclosed. When Andy (Joe McFadden) arrives in the Shank our story begins.

Andy has been charged with a double murder, his ex-wife and her boyfriend. From the start, he is quiet and thoughtful, determined not to draw attention to himself. However, this doesn’t work and he becomes a target for “the sisters” who use “rape” to overpower and show dominance over new inmates.

Red and Andy strike up an unlikely friendship that evolves and stands the test of time. However, Andy becomes invaluable to the formidable Warden Stammas played by Bill Ward. Nobody would cross him as he wasn’t afraid to do anything to protect his own interests.

The staged adaptation doesn’t lose anything from the filmed version in 1994 starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. The main themes, corruption and abysmal conditions that prisoners endured at the hands of a corrupt governing body.

Who are the real criminals inside the “Shank” those who committed the crimes and are now doing time and have been charged? Or those in charge who are manipulating the prisoners and committing murder (on the inside) to protect their own interests, tax evasion and abuse in a position of power.

The set designed by Gary McCann offers a base for the main hallway area of the inside of the prison and the outside exercise area. Also the library, Andy’s cell, Warden Stammas’ office, and the dining area. It’s a versatile area that draws you into the prison environment.

The Shawshank Redemption is as powerful now as when the original novella was published in 1982 and corruption instead the correctional facilities according to news reports is still rife.

The current production will be going on tour. For more information about The Shawshank Redemption and future productions at Theatre Royal Windsor please use the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Jack Merriman.

https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/

https://www.kenwright.com/productions/shawshank-redemption-2025-2026-tour/

Cast

Joe McFadden stars as Andy Dufresne.

Ben Onwukwe as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding.

Bill Ward as Stammas.

Graham Elwell (Bryan Hadley),

Ashley D Gayle (Rooster),

Jeffrey Harmer (Entwistle),

Kyle Harrison-Pope (Tommy Williams),