The Shawshank Redemption
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
5th December - 10th December 2016
8pm
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
5th December - 10th December 2016
8pm
Standing naked, stripped of civilian attire and carrying newly regulated boots atop a neatly folded blue denim prison uniform, is how we are introduced to Andy Dufresne and the fresh intake of inmates, in this stage adaption of the 1994 Oscar nominated movie, The Shawshank Redemption which starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The movie, of course, was an adaption of the Stephen King novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption which tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding.
With The Shawshank Redemption being one of my favourite films of all time, this touring production was right up there as one of my most highly anticipated plays to see this year.
Set solely within the walls of the prison we are easily transfered from Andy's prison cell to the penitentiary library and the warden's office with swift scene changes aided by the clever and effective use of music and lighting. The music also giving us an indication of the lengthy time frame of Andy's sentence. The use of light and sound also hugely effective in the scene where Andy is raped by the inmates, known as 'the sisters' which was hauntingly disturbing.
The Shawshank Redemption tells a story of friendship and survival and essentially the growing relationship between Andy and Red, played by Paul Nicholls and Ben Onwukwe. Nicholls is wonderfully endearing in his portrayal of the wrongly imprisoned Andy Dufresne and plays him with just the right amount of sensitivity and underlying strength. Onwukwe probably has one of the hardest boots to fill in the somewhat now iconic role of Red, made famous by Morgan Freeman. Red is the narrator of the piece, the 'Mr Get Things' of the prison who introduces us to the various occupants in the "Shank" and who ultimately strikes up a long and lasting friendship with Andy. Onwukwe is fabulous in this part and really makes it his own.
Jack Ellis as prison Warden Stammas doesn't have as much stage time as the other leading men but gives as much nastiness as is needed in the role of the corrupt officer.
Adam Henderson Scott gave the role of Rico a lot of depth and Nicholas Banks in the pivotal role of Tommy, albeit only in Act 2, is also one to watch as the naive young offender.
Another stand out role has to go to Andrew Boyer as Brooksie, the elderly prison librarian, who has been incarcerated for so long he is terrified of having to leave the prison and go into a world he no longer understands. His final scene was starkly gripping.
I was really worried that this play wouldn't live up to the expectations the film had given me, but I needn't have been concerned. The play manages to stay true to the film and especially to the novella, thanks to the skill of its co-writers, comedians Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns.
I was completely engaged by all the performances in this production with the whole cast working so well together to the point that even those members of the audience with the noisy sweet wrappers to unfold (you know who you are) managed to stay silently captivated.
Those who are unfamiliar with either the film or the book will, I am sure, be equally engrossed in this production - it's conclusion having the ability to leave even the hardiest of audience members with a warm glow of satisfaction.
For ticket availability go oline to southendtheatres.org.uk or call 01702 351135
For Paul Nicholls interview click here
Set solely within the walls of the prison we are easily transfered from Andy's prison cell to the penitentiary library and the warden's office with swift scene changes aided by the clever and effective use of music and lighting. The music also giving us an indication of the lengthy time frame of Andy's sentence. The use of light and sound also hugely effective in the scene where Andy is raped by the inmates, known as 'the sisters' which was hauntingly disturbing.
The Shawshank Redemption tells a story of friendship and survival and essentially the growing relationship between Andy and Red, played by Paul Nicholls and Ben Onwukwe. Nicholls is wonderfully endearing in his portrayal of the wrongly imprisoned Andy Dufresne and plays him with just the right amount of sensitivity and underlying strength. Onwukwe probably has one of the hardest boots to fill in the somewhat now iconic role of Red, made famous by Morgan Freeman. Red is the narrator of the piece, the 'Mr Get Things' of the prison who introduces us to the various occupants in the "Shank" and who ultimately strikes up a long and lasting friendship with Andy. Onwukwe is fabulous in this part and really makes it his own.
Jack Ellis as prison Warden Stammas doesn't have as much stage time as the other leading men but gives as much nastiness as is needed in the role of the corrupt officer.
Adam Henderson Scott gave the role of Rico a lot of depth and Nicholas Banks in the pivotal role of Tommy, albeit only in Act 2, is also one to watch as the naive young offender.
Another stand out role has to go to Andrew Boyer as Brooksie, the elderly prison librarian, who has been incarcerated for so long he is terrified of having to leave the prison and go into a world he no longer understands. His final scene was starkly gripping.
I was really worried that this play wouldn't live up to the expectations the film had given me, but I needn't have been concerned. The play manages to stay true to the film and especially to the novella, thanks to the skill of its co-writers, comedians Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns.
I was completely engaged by all the performances in this production with the whole cast working so well together to the point that even those members of the audience with the noisy sweet wrappers to unfold (you know who you are) managed to stay silently captivated.
Those who are unfamiliar with either the film or the book will, I am sure, be equally engrossed in this production - it's conclusion having the ability to leave even the hardiest of audience members with a warm glow of satisfaction.
For ticket availability go oline to southendtheatres.org.uk or call 01702 351135
For Paul Nicholls interview click here
Ask the Audience
Maggie from Benfleet
"I thought it was amazing. All the cast were amazing - I couldn't fault it. It was a really impressive interpretation."
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Francesca from Benfleet "My friend got tickets as Shawshank is my favourite film. The two main characters (Andy and Red, played by Paul Nicholls and Ben Onwukwe) are fantastic. I wondered how it would transfer to the stage but it's quite true to the film and it flowed really well." |
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