THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION | UK TOUR @ ROYAL LYCEUM, EDINBURGH
★★★★
“McFadden, Onwukwe and Ward are the impressive leads on which the production hangs…”
Based on the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption, Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption has come a long way since premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013, evolving into a tight, emotionally punishing and on occasion, challenging piece from Bill Kenwright Productions.
A bleak yet bullish exploration of friendships born of despair and mutual exploitation, The Shawshank Redemption champions hope in the face of even the most brutal adversity.
Wrongly convicted and jailed for the murder of his wife and her lover, mild-mannered banker Andy Dufresne finds himself incarcerated in The Shank, where he is forced to navigate the explosive hierarchy, violence and sexual politics of the dreaded prison, while always clinging to the belief justice will be his. It’s a long and arduous journey with little to encourage him as the years pass.
As Dufresne, Joe McFadden brings a dignified resignation to a character laced with a steely refusal to be intimidated by the brutal nature of life behind bars and the corruption of the prison regime that holds him. If it’s McFadden’s affable turn that drives the action, a blistering performance from Ben Onwukwe as the wily fixer, Red, proves the piece with its heart. Conversational and knowing, his narration is as spellbinding as it is powerful, capturing the last vestiges of humanity in a man abandoned by society. Conversely, Bill Ward’s corrupt Warden Stammas, a viciously duplicitous antagonist, adds an extra sinister level to the daily routine of life in the penitentiary.
If McFadden, Onwukwe and Ward are the impressive leads on which the production hangs, they receive scintillating support from a skilful ensemble. Sean Kingsley’s merciless ‘rapist sister’, Bogs Diamond, is a disturbingly base creation, while it’s difficult not to sympathise with Kenneth Jay’s aging, institutionalised librarian, Brooksie. Both are standouts, as is Kyle Harrison-Pope as the tragic Tommy.
Director David Esbjornson highlights the underlying despair of the characters with clarity while ensuring O’Neill’s and Johns’ at times word-heavy script doesn’t lose its flow.
Gary McCann’s set design, simple and fixed, creates a claustrophobic vision of The Shank while being flexible enough to create the various environs of the prison, thanks in part to Chris Davey’s succinct lighting design.
Potent theatre with an uplifting conclusion, The Shawshank Redemption is certainly Must See Theatre.
Reviewed in partnership with Dine Cambridge Street – Browse menus and book HERE
Run ends 24 January Tickets HERE | Full tour and ticket details HERE
