The Shawshank Redemption – Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Writer: Stephen King

Adaptors: Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns

Director: David Esbjornson

Shawshank Penitentiary is the setting for this harrowing, powerful and strangely uplifting production. Those familiar with the film will be all too aware of its success captivating its audience as we are thrusted into engaging with the day-to-day battles and dilemmas that surviving Shawshank involves. This stage production adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, is no different. Gary McCann’s design work is complemented by the lighting of Chris Davey, as Shawshank is portrayed with all the disturbing grimness expected of such an environment. The cold, harsh lighting and grey, stark jail cells provide an uncomfortable reality check for the inmates. This is all too clear as the play opens with them lined up, exposed and chained as they come to terms with their new lives on the inside.

The play explores the psychological battles that the inmates face as they search for acceptance, survival and freedom. The character dynamics make this an arduous task as we witness corruption and abuse. However, some of these stark realities of prison life are presented without the rawness which would have added to the power of the production.

The focus of the story centres around Andy Dufresne’s arrival at the penitentiary. The intention to keep himself to himself soon backfires as the brutality of ‘the sisters’ comes to bite. Joe Absolom does an excellent job in the role of Dufresne as his initial shyness evolves into plotting a mastermind plan which reflects the intelligence that he displays only subtly.

Despite Dufresne taking a lot of the attention, the audience is captured by the tribulations of Shawshank veteran Red, who is played superbly by Ben Onwukwe. His portrayal of this role is important as there is a compassion between audience and his character despite the brutal crimes he has committed. Red acts as a narrator to link scenes together and capture the emotion behind what is unfolding inside their isolated world. The character relationship which forms between the two is deep and heart-warming, and it culminates in a peaceful, up-lifting moment at the end of the play.

The other characters take more of a backseat to the action but play an important role nevertheless. Brooksie (Kenneth Jay) is another who captures the attention of the audience as the most elderly of the inmates and subsequently the most institutionalised. Coulter Dittman does well in the role of the young, naïve Tommy as he battles with his morals over loyalty to his family back home or his new prison family. The wardens and guards bring an intimidating presence to the environment, whilst the remainder of the inmates provide subtle humour and wit amongst some of the brutality that is witnessed. There are perhaps one too many layers to this production, with the need to see more within Dufresne’s mind as we do with Red.

The Shawshank Redemption captures the stark reality of prison life, offering an experience which gives a greater connection between those on the inside and those on the outside. The themes are powerful and harrowing, with enough hope thrown in there to make it heart-warming by its end.

Runs until: 11 March 2023 and on tour