Newcastle actor, writer and stand-up comedian Dave Johns, well-known for playing the eponymous role in the film I, Daniel Blake and for writing its stage adaptation, co-adapted this production of Stephen King’s novella alongside Owen O’Neill for prominent theatre production company, Bill Kenwright Ltd.
This project, says Johns, was 20 years in the taking from concept to action; a life sentence in fact, and is a job well done.
The Shawshank Redemption is set within the walls of the fictional Shawshank State Penitentiary in Maine, USA. The story begins with Andy Dufresne’s arrival at the prison in 1947 and follows his interned journey for over 20 years, as he navigates power and control through allegiance and obligation. A minefield of expectation and chance, that the often socially inept Andy (Joe McFadden) fails to quite understand – or does he? McFadden’s Dufresne intrigued us.
Fellow Geordie, Bill Ward, played [prison] Warden Stammas with a crawling-under-the-skin irritance. The quality of performances were high but Ashley D Gayle stood out as bullying sidekick Rooster. Ben Onwukye though, as narrator and longtime inmate Red, was understated, with outstanding captivation.
Redemption
There is redemption within and without Shawshank’s walls; the titular pun being the key theme, in all meanings of the word. From redeeming gambling debts, redeeming gifts from fellow inmates to redeeming sin and taking back control of your life and destiny as the characters do in their own different ways.
Redemption too, for the audience, was taken. With a tense focus from start to finish, this was cracking stuff. The acting was brilliant. The accents were very good, and realistic. The set was simple but effective, chilling in its dull symmetry, and clever. Soundtracks were well chosen, indicating the passage of time and external cultural change.
We were hooked. Time served was well spent.
The Shawshank Redemption is on a national tour until November – information here.
