The Shawshank Redemption At Milton Keynes Theatre Review

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

Milton Keynes Theatre if you haven’t been before is in the heart of a good choice of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a Pre show meal or just a drink. Tonight we were more than a little intrigued to see how the much loved The Shawshank Redemption transferred to stage.

The story written by Stephen King and adapted from the book Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption was a film released back in 1995 and famously starred Morgan Freeman as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding and Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, two most unlikely characters to become friends.

It was most certainly an outstanding all male cast up on stage this evening. There was a presence from everyone, and your attention was held from the moment the curtain went up. Mr Ben Onwukwe, was quite simply riveting and could have been Morgan Freeman right there on the stage, such was the voice and the mannerisms, for me the star of the show. He couldn’t have done it though without the solid performances of the rest of the cast. Lovely to see Joe Absolom on stage, a much admired actor of mine. To see someone that has been on your television screens for many a year perform live is fantastic. I didn’t think of him in Doc Martin once until the very end … the sunset scene and I think it was his smile and I thought there he is.

I won’t spoil the story if you haven’t seen the film, but it is set in the Shawshank Maximum Security Penitentiary over the course of 20 years. The story is the tale of the friendship that develops between Andy and Red. The set was brilliant and fitted the story well. Sometimes there was tough and sensitive scenes. You couldn’t help but be caught up in the unfairness of prison life and how bullies thrive on those who can’t or won’t defend themselves. Bullies come in all shapes and forms and were not always the other inmates.

It’s not based on a true story but you would like to think that there are Andy’s and Reds in the world, who together face the daily injustices in prison life, regardless of what crime they went in for. You like to think that everyone has hope, but in day to day life, when everyone in the world feels or acts against you, it’s tough to hope there are better days ahead.

What shone through the story in not just their characters but the surrounding inmates, is perseverance. Perseverance, friendship and doing the right thing just might get you through. Of course there will always be those in life who thrive on making others feel rubbish, but you will if you try find a way to be happy. It was an interesting show, it deviated slightly from the film, but that’s to be expected. You almost probably need to see it twice to take it all in.

This show is in Milton Keynes until Saturday 22nd October go get yourself a ticket and see what you think yourself. We thought it was outstanding.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £13.00 plus transaction fee £3.80

The Shawshank Redemption is at Milton Keynes Theatre 17-22 October

For more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com or call the box office on 0207 206 1174

500 Marlborough Gate Central Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ