The film of The Shawshank Redemption is one of many men’s favourite movies, and the usual reason is its rare moving depiction of a friendship between two men devoid of the usual buddy caper tropes.
Ben Onwukwe as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding and Joe Absolom as Andy Dufresne | Photo © Jack Merriman
And now Bill Kenwright brings the story to the stage with a major UK tour which this week plays at Bath’s Theatre Royal.
Ellis ‘Red’ Redding has been incarcerated for many years at “the Shank” prison when newly-convicted Andy Dufresne joins him and the other convicts.
Both men have been found guilty of murdering their wives, but Andy is protesting his innocence. Over time (and in the face of abuse from other prisoners and increasing oppression from Warden Stammas) he develops a bond with Red which leads to an emotional conclusion.
Fans of the movie have much to enjoy in this largely faithful re-telling, though the decision to remove Red’s statement of regret over killing his wife seems puzzling for a man we root for.
Director David Esbjornson keeps the pace tight and brings out both the horror and humour of incarceration, not shying away from the realities of rape and violence.
Gary McCann’s design of the prison is oppressive and claustrophobic, with opaque windows allowing no glimpse of the world outside.
Ben Onwukwe deftly treads both the self-serving fixer and confidante aspects of Red, whilst Joe Absolom gives us an Andy who is both confident and vulnerable.
The company work is strong, with particularly effective moments from Jules Brown as Rico and Coulter Dittman as newbie Tommy Williams.
It is a compelling production, and the closing minute leaves us with a beautiful image which will have you complaining of something in your eye.
The Shawshank Redemption is playing at Theatre Royal Bath until 1st April. Box office: 01225 448844
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Reviewer: Steve Huggins
