The air of menace that pervaded Oxford Playhouse was palpable as Shawshank Redemption‘s corrupt tale of incarceration, greed and survival began this week.
Any doubters wondering if this epic and beloved film can be adapted for the stage, will be relieved to hear that director David Esbjornson has managed it admirably, the audience absolutely spellbound throughout.
Casting is key here, the characters we meet helping us to dive into their miserable world of murder, rape, violence and lawlessness so completely.
Shawshank Redemption doesn’t let you down. A must see production if I ever saw one.
From the power-crazed bully boy tactics of Warden Stammas’ (Mark Heenehan) and his hefty henchman Hadley (Joe Reisig), to the more humane Brooksie (Kenneth Jay) and the tragic Tommy (Coulter Dittman), this exceptional cast keeps the pace moving swiftly along despite their locked down existence.
A special mention must also go to Ben Onwukwe as Red, whose mesmerising narration keeps the tempo popping.
The irony that these dangerous men are no better than those in command is not lost on us as the jailbirds’ comaraderie and backstories help the prisoners flesh out their characters, making them ever more human as we travel along on their journey inside.
We know the plot – Andy Dufresne is sent to Shawshank maximum security penitentiary after being found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover, a claim he fiercely refutes.
this exceptional cast keeps the pace moving swiftly along despite their locked down existence
But in prison everyone is innocent, and Andy has to adjust to the system quickly and all of its gruesome realities, from gang rape to institutional corruption. However, once the governor realises Andy is good with numbers, his fate is sealed.
Except that Andy, played so ably by Joe Absolom (read our interview with Joe here) is cleverer than that, cleverer than us all, and even though most of us have seen Shawshank Redemption before, were all on the edge of our seats.
Could he survive and come out the other side? Joe Absolom had us in the palm of his battered hand until the bitter end.
JOE ABSOLOM HAD US IN THE PALM OF HIS BATTERED HAND UNTIL THE BITTER END
Shawshank Redemption was superb. Brilliantly acted, dynamic, emotional, riveting, it swept us along in its vicious wake like a morality play, pitching good against evil and despite the terrible abuse of power, brotherhood and hope prevailed.
This is what theatre should be about, adapting classics and bringing stellar dramas to new audiences around the country. Shawshank Redemption doesn’t let you down. A must see production if I ever saw one.
Shawshank Redemption runs at Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 7 – Sat 11 February. Book at https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/the-shawshank-redemption
Katherine MacAlister
