Few films have enjoyed the afterlife of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. Since its release in 1994 it has quietly become one of the most loved movies of all time, endlessly rewatched, quoted and debated, often topping polls of cinema’s greatest achievements. Turning something so revered into a stage production is no small task, but judging by last night’s opening of its Welsh run at the Wales Millennium Centre, this latest tour proves that Shawshank’s story doesn’t just survive the transition, it thrives on it.
What strikes you immediately is how naturally the film’s world transfers to the stage. There is no sense of a gimmick or a ‘why bother?’ adaptation. Instead, the production leans into the strengths of live theatre, placing us right inside Shawshank prison, close enough to feel the weight of the walls and the passage of years etched into the men who live there. The result is intimate, absorbing and often quietly devastating.
At the centre of it all is JOE MCFADDEN as Andy Dufresne. Known to many from television, Joe brings a thoughtful restraint to the role. His Andy is not showy or sentimental. He is intelligent, inward and persistent, a man whose quiet decency becomes an act of defiance in a place designed to crush it. It is a performance that understands the character deeply and allows the audience to lean in rather than be pushed.
BEN ONWUKWE as ‘Red’ provides the emotional heartbeat of the production. As the story’s narrator and moral compass, he guides us through the years with warmth, weariness and, eventually, a hard earned sense of belief. Ben captures Red’s humour and humanity beautifully, making his journey feel lived in rather than simply told. His connection with Joe’s Andy is convincing and deeply affecting, especially as time begins to take its toll.
BILL WARD is a formidable presence as Warden Stammas. There is real menace in his performance, not delivered through melodrama but through control and certainty. Bill understands that the most frightening authority figures rarely need to raise their voice. His Warden represents institutional cruelty at its most chilling, making the moments of moral reckoning all the more powerful.
It would be unfair to single out only these performances because the cast, in their entirety, are superb. Every inmate, guard and supporting character feels specific and purposeful, contributing to the sense that Shawshank is a functioning, oppressive ecosystem rather than a backdrop for a few leads. The ensemble work gives the story its scale and credibility.
The set deserves special mention. It is striking without being distracting, effectively reflecting life inside Shawshank prison and the constant challenges faced by both inmates and staff. The design allows the action to flow while maintaining the claustrophobic reality of prison life. Cells, corridors and communal spaces shift seamlessly, reinforcing the monotony and routine that define existence behind bars.
Stephen King’s original novella and the multi award winning film are treated with respect here. The story sticks faithfully to its source material, hitting the moments audiences expect, yet it somehow feels new. Seeing these characters live out their challenging lives in front of you adds a rawness that cinema cannot replicate. There is no screen to hide behind. When hope falters or violence erupts, it happens in real time, just a few metres away.
For a modern audience, the themes land with particular force. Ideas around justice, abuse of power, resilience and the human need for dignity feel as relevant now as ever. The passage of time, so crucial to Shawshank, is handled cleverly through music and references to historical events. These touches gently remind us of the decades slipping by, of lives shaped and sometimes wasted by the slow grind of the system.
By the time the final moments arrive, the theatre is utterly still. Not because the production is loud or manipulative, but because it trusts the story and the audience. This is Shawshank as it should be told. Clear, humane and quietly hopeful.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION runs at the Wales Millennium Centre all week till Saturday 17th January. If you’ve ever loved the film, or simply appreciate theatre that respects your intelligence, this is one sentence worth serving.
Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. For more details, and tickets go HERE.
