The Shawshank Redemption is based on the 1982 novella by Stephen King. It has been adapted for the stage by Owen O’Neil and Dave Jones and is currently touring theatres across the UK.
It is set in a maximum secure facility in Maine USA and explores the relationships between long term inmates, new arrivals and prison officials and how they survive. The stage is the main part of the prison with additions made for the Warden office, Library and cells.
The main characters are Ellis “Red” Redding played by Ben Onwukwe who is a long term inmate who has been refused parole on numerous occasions due in part to him be able to secure contraband such as chocholate, canabis and Flirt Magazine for a fee for other inmates.
Bill Ward plays Warden Stammas, who it turns out is very corrupt, but holding power over other inmates allows him to get away with this.
The third main character is Andy Dufresne, a banker who is played by Joe McFadden. He is the new arrival, having been sentenced for the murder of his wife and her lover, a crime which he firmly denies. He is clearly a very intelligent guy who, with this, assists other inmates and officers where he is hoping to get his conviction quashed on appeal. However, the Warden has other ideas!
Two other characters who should be mentioned are Brookise who has been inside for 42 years for killing his wife and daughter two peope he loved dearly. He runs the library consisting of a book trolly but with Andy persistence to the state gets agreement for a a fixed library. He is due for parole shortly which many challenges for someone incarcerated for so long.
The final character to mention is Tommy who wants to pass exams to improve is chances when he leaves and Andy helps him with his studies with the hope he can achieve this and be back with his wife and daughter.
For the two halves of this play, we see how relationships develop and how inmates, in particular, support each other through what must be very difficult times. There are some very emotional parts, and the play is well worth seeing with the inmates being very likeable characters considering their crimes.
Reviewed by Simon Bell.
Four Stars.
Photo credit Jack Merriman.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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