The Shawshank Redemption at Lichfield Garrick Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Lindsay Burton
“The Shawshank Redemption” has come an incredibly long way. All the way from Stephen King’s story when it became globally famous because of the 1994 film starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. It was later adapted for the stage by Dave Johns and Owen O’Neill, and after being reworked in 2013, the show has returned for another UK tour, now appearing at the Lichfield Garrick. I was not aware it was a stage show – it has been one of my favourite movies for a long time so I was super excited about seeing this production. I have also been a fan of Joe McFadden for some time – not growing up in the UK I have enjoyed watching reruns of Heartbeat and Emmerdale and have enjoyed seeing some of these actors in stage shows across the country.
This tale takes place within Shawshank prison’s maximum-security wing, starting in the 1950s and lasting about 20 years. Red, a long-term prisoner who helps people, tells the story. He introduces us to Andy Dufresne, an intellectual and quiet banker who ends up in prison for killing his wife and her lover, a crime he vehemently denies doing.
The production quickly portrays the everyday life in a prison environment: the ongoing tension, risk of violence, and power struggles among guards, inmates, and the ruthless warden. But Andy is different. Using his skills from banking, he is smart, calm, and brave, and slowly changes prison life.
Ben Onwukwe brilliantly plays Red. The character openly admits to killing his wife, but over time, he has become the man everyone turns to in prison—someone who can get things, help others, and carefully balance keeping both the inmates and the guards on his side. Despite his past, he becomes a surprisingly friendly and reputable figure.
Joe McFadden gives a calm but powerful performance as Andy. At first, Andy keeps to himself and silently accepts his fate, but as time goes on, he starts to bring about change around him. He makes everyone around him believe he really is innocent without having the fight his innocence – yet he cannot prove it and those in charge are reluctant to try even when there could be a possibility. McFadden does an excellent job showing how isolated Andy feels and how hard it is to deal with being in prison for something he did not do. Some of the more sensitive scenes reminds the audience of the reality many prisoners have faced in incarceration.
Bill Ward plays Warden Stammas faultlessly. The Warden is the man in charge in Shawshank. He is strict and intimidating, but also ruthlessly corrupt. You can feel his power and threat in both his voice and his physical presence and the helplessness of the prisoners who are wronged by him is almost palpable.
The supporting cast is also extraordinarily strong. Each prisoner has a distinct personality, shown through their performances and even how they wear their denim uniforms. The brutal gang known as “the sisters” truly portray the harsh and brutal reality of prison life all those years ago.
Kenneth Jay is poignant as Brooksie, the elderly prison librarian terrified of life outside and it wasn’t until I had watched this movie that it crossed my mind that for some inmates, rehabilitation doesn’t actually rehabilitate people who are removed from society for decades and then expected to just fit back into everyday life.
The set, designed by Gary McCann, is smartly done. It slickly shifts between open communal areas and tight, claustrophobic cells using lighting and separable panels. The final scene offers a remarkable and inspirational contrast to the ominous prison setting.
What a truly magnificent production and performance by all involved – I have watched many shows over the last few years but this one will most definitely stay with me. Gripping and emotional – it makes me wonder what the wrongly accused have to go through to cope from day to day.
5/5 for me and my guest – brilliant show from start to finish. The Shawshank Redemption is currently on at Lichfield Garrick until the 18th of October. Tickets start from £16 and can be purchased from www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/the-shawshank-redemption#dates-and-times. Bear in mind the age recommendation is a 14+.
Rating: 5/5