At precisely 7.30pm on Tuesday evening, the chatter among the Hull New Theatre audience quieted as the curtain rose on a production of The Shawshank Redemption.
Seconds later the chatter resumed – the curtain having changed course and descended downwards.
An apology resounded around the theatre.
However, it was only another few seconds before the curtain rose again; and the aforementioned chatter ceased once more.
That damn curtain seemed to have a life of its own as it descended once again; this time joined by its accomplice in crime, the fire safety curtain.
Ten minutes after the scheduled start time, both barriers to the stage rose revealing the grey, grim interior of the Shawshank Maximum Security Penitentiary, in Maine, US.
At first I thought I was watching The Full Monty as the opening scene revealed three “naked” prisoners standing clutching their prison gear; all being verbally harassed by die-hard lags from up aloft.
Funnily enough, their appearance chased all thoughts of the pesky curtain from my mind.
The prison was the focal point throughout the production. The “inmates’ themselves acted as scene-shifters, bringing in table, chairs, library books, metal bedstead, mops and buckets, plus desk and plush chair for the Warden’s office.
Metal lamps and a wooden wall panel dropped from on high to create different scenarios but, otherwise, not much changed. Well, except at the very end … and wow, the visual difference was heartwarming. But which prisoners, if any, got to enjoy this refreshing feast of colour?
The story centres around banker Andy Dufresne (Joe McFadden of Holby City and Heartbeat fame). Wrongly convicted of killing his wife and her lover, he is serving a double life sentence at the notorious penitentiary.
At first he does himself no favours by being quiet and withdrawn, giving the impression he is above his fellow inmates.
And, boy, does he suffer because of this – mainly at the hands of “the sisters”, Bogs Diamond (Sean Kingsley) and Rooster (Ashley D Gayle), both unsavoury bullies.
Striking up an unlikely friendship with prison “fixer” Ellis Redding, known as Red (Ben Onwukwe – a well-known face on our TV screens) gives Andy some solace. As trust grows between the two, Andy requests an item from Red, at a price of course. And it’s Andy’s desperate and secretive use of this item that takes everyone in the prison by surprise later in the show. I felt like cheering.
Befriending library worker Brooksie (Kenneth Jay), a murderer who has served 43 years in prison, but is coming up for parole, gives educated Andy a different focus; as does helping a new, younger inmate, Tommy Williams (Kyle Harrison-Pope) pass an exam of some sort.
Hearing of a screw’s financial woes, the banker offers to help him fill the necessary forms to escape a big tax bill, legally.
Which all brings him to the attention of Warden Stammas (Bill Ward of Coronation Street and Emmerdale fame), a mean-spirited, spiteful scammer who thinks nothing of having men killed if they dare to defy him. RIP … oops, nearly spilled the beans.
Apart from the grisly scenes with “the sisters”, it’s Andy’s involvement with the Warden that makes him stronger and even more convinced to regain his freedom by any means.
Battered and bruised, nothing breaks him – but will his daredevil plan work?
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, this stage production, adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, and directed by David Esbjornson, spans 20 years of prison life. We’re never told the date, but the clever use of popular music lets us know what decade we are in. For instance music from the early Beatles and the Supremes is a clue we are in the 1960s and so on.
Despite its false starts, The Shawshank Redemption was riveting from start to finish. The small cast gave impressive performances throughout, with loud, clear, believable American accents that never wavered.
Everyone on stage on the night gave their all, each revealing differing characters to us in a theatre that was, sadly, nowhere near full.
But it’s the three main characters – Andy, the Warden and Red – who are at the heart of the story.
McFadden plays quietly defiant Andy with the right amount of subservience to keep himself safe, but also with bursts of spirit showing he is a fighter, although sadly for him at times, not with his fists.
Probably the most vociferous lines were spoken (make that shouted) by Ward as the immovable Warden. He perfectly brought the nasty, besuited prison chief to life, installing fear into his prisoners by issuing veiled threats and dishing out spells in the dreaded solitary confinement.
Onwukwe gave his character Red, a calmer, more genteel persona. Although a murderer, I found him likeable, thanks to some amazing, yet understated, acting.
This small crew (space prevents me from naming them all) instantly brought the applauding and cheering Hull New Theatre audience to its feet, as one, at the show’s end – a show that definitely deserves to play to packed houses.
The Shawshank Redemption runs until Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the Hull New Theatre with tickets available from www.hulltheatres.co.uk or by calling (01482) 300306
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 21st October 2025
North West End UK Rating: