The Shawshank Redemption At The Oxford Playhouse Review

Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn

The Shawshank Redemption was originally written as a short novella by Stephen King and went on to become the award-winning, iconic classic 1994 movie starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Ken Wainwright’s acclaimed stage version of this well-loved tale is now on a new UK tour and playing at The Oxford Playhouse to audiences new and old.

The Playhouse lies in the heart of this historic city, situated directly opposite the impressive Ashmolean Museum. The theatre is an intimate venue, with very comfortable, uniquely multi coloured seating with good leg room, audiences are guaranteed a good view from anywhere in the auditorium.

Exploring the theme of friendship, injustice, freedom and ultimately, hope, The Shawshank Redemption stands the test of time. Telling the story of bank manager, Andy Dufresne (Joe Absolom), who despite protesting his innocence, has been wrongly convicted of killing his wife and her lover and incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank penitentiary. Dufresne learns quickly that the only way to survive the hellish Shawshank and regain any feelings of hope is to strike up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer, Red (Ben Onwukwe). Unfortunately for Dufresne, the prison warden has recognised his weakness and decides to exploit his talents for accountancy, which lights the fuse for a plan made out of desperation to be hatched.

The play adaptation closely aligns with the winning, tried and tested formula in the film’s original script and yet also succeeds in being distinctive and original. The story builds up and naturally unfolds, with a fast pace, quickly drawing the audience in with the compelling and deeply moving tale being brilliantly told. Audiences, be warned, the play very rightly takes no prisoners, with violence, frequent bad language and themes of abuse, the Shawshank’s darkness, pain and perversion is honestly shown.

Onwukwe and Absolom both rise to the challenge, with convincing and superbly acted performances. Both actors are masters at the rise and fall of storytelling, they work together very well to sustain a tense atmosphere with brilliant control, reminding us that at the heart of it all this is a story of friendship and hope.

Ben Onwukwe is brilliantly compelling as the iconic prison fixer, Red. His talents and skills for navigating the prison system are second to none and he can secure anything from wine, to chocolates to marijuana. Onwukwe is powerful and captivating as he weaves the audience through a range of emotions with warmth and depth. Although his character can be manipulative and cynical, he wins the audience over with his humanity – Onwukwe’s ‘I hope’ speech being a stand out moment in the show.

Joe Absolom is perfectly cast and gives a powerful and distinctive performance as the broken and adrift yet astute Andy Dufresne. As he navigates through the torment of the Shawshank, the audience can feel and connect with his intense anguish.

Gary McCann’s set is stark and commanding, strikingly shifting between the huge high walls of the prison compounds to the claustrophobic prisoner’s cells. The overall atmospheric experience is balanced perfectly by the steely lighting and sound, including songs by Johnny Cash to evoke the nostalgia of the era.

The spellbindingly uplifting ending of the play will stay with you long after you have left the theatre and that is the recommendation in itself. Resonating deeply, The Shawshank Redemption is a masterpiece must see production.

Rating: 5/5.

Tickets cost from £10.00;

The Shawshank Redemption is at The Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 7th – Saturday 11th February, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/the-shawshank-redemption or call the box office on 01865 305305; Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW