Theatre / Reviews
Review: The Shawshank Redemption, Theatre Royal Bath – ‘Strong performances and a great script are let down by an underpowered production’
Stephen King is a cracking storyteller, and this tale of brutality, corruption and hope in a US state penitentiary is one of his best; partly because it doesn’t descend into the supernatural, but stays within the realms of earthly, human behaviour. King is responsible for some of the most memorable characters in fiction, and it’s good to see a few of them here.
Originally conceived as a novella called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, this play tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a finance wizard who is wrongly convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover, and the men he meets in prison.
Among the predatory ‘sisters’, simple criminals and cruel guards, Dufresne finds friendship with Brooks, an elderly book lover and Redd – the inmates’ wise fixer who helps him navigate his way through his incarceration.
More vicious and crooked than any convict in Shawshank is the warden, Stammas, whose very presence strikes fear into guards and inmates alike. Dufresne finds himself operating in two worlds – positively supporting genuine goodness, and smartly aiding financial mismanagement. Redd and Stammas represent Good and Evil, and we have to work out which side we’re on.
For two hours – mercifully less than the film, which is a cult classic – we’re immersed in prison life, with parole boards and philosophy taking equal share of our attention.
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As we would expect, there are moments of warmth and humanity woven into the bleakness, and the overarching message is one of faith, friendship and – of course – redemption.
The adaptation was written by two comedians who understand smart dialogue exchanges – it’s a great script, and could have been an amazing evening.
The three central performances are strong. Joe McFadden plays Dufresne, an everyman with a mission. Ben Onwukwe is wise and funny as world-weary Redd. And the standout performance comes from Bill Ward, who plays Stammas with a suave, swaggering iciness.
But sadly, the production itself pulls its punches too often – moments which should have us chewing our fingers just sort of happen, with little tension or credible threat. Scene changes are heralded by cool songs from the 60s, which seem more cliché than homage. The ensemble scenes feel thrown together and the supporting characters too broadly drawn.
It’s also not dark or dirty enough – as if a rendition of Officer Krupke is just around the corner. I don’t know whether stage fighting has softened or I have hardened, but to play the most unpleasant scene in total darkness is too comfortable for a story about surviving and succeeding against adversity.
This is a show worth seeing, for sure – but you won’t be put through the wringer, which is a shame.
The Shawshank Redemption is at Theatre Royal Bath on February 2-7 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Wednesday and Saturday. Visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk for tickets.
All photos: Jack Merriman
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