There are few stories as instantly recognisable as The Shawshank Redemption, so when word spread that Shawshank itself was arriving in Cardiff, expectations were always going to be high.
For a week in January, the Wales Millennium Centre is no longer just a theatre on the edge of Cardiff Bay. It becomes a prison. Cold, claustrophobic and heavy with hopelessness, Shawshank takes over the Donald Gordon Theatre and pulls the audience straight behind bars.
As someone who has seen the film but not read Stephen King’s original novel, this stage adaptation came with a clear frame of reference. What I did not expect was just how immersive and emotionally grounded it would feel live on stage.
The story itself needs little introduction. Andy Dufresne is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover and sentenced to life in Shawshank prison. What follows is a story of injustice, resilience, friendship and hope, played out behind bars over decades. Andy forms an unlikely bond with Ellis ‘Red’ Redding, the inmate who can get things, and through small acts of kindness, intelligence and quiet defiance, begins to change not just his own fate, but the lives of those around him.
The Wales Millennium Centre is convincingly transformed into Shawshank prison. The set is deliberately simple, built entirely around the prison environment, with different elements dropping in as needed. Given that the story never really leaves the walls of the prison, this works in its favour. The stripped back design keeps the focus firmly on the characters and the storytelling rather than visual distraction.
For anyone familiar with the film, there is always the question of what makes it into a stage version and what does not. There is a lot to cram in, and the production team clearly knew they had to respect the audience’s expectations while still making it work in a live format. All the key moments are here. The rooftop scene, the library, helping the prison officers, Tommy’s education, Red’s role as the fixer. None of it feels lost or glossed over.
What the stage cannot do in the same way as film, it makes up for through atmosphere. The background music does a huge amount of work in setting the time period and mood, helping scenes land emotionally without the benefit of cinematic close ups or edits. There are a few moments that feel slightly flat or out of sequence if you know the film inside out, but that is more about familiarity than any real weakness in the production.
What really stands out is the sheer skill involved in telling this story live. Films allow for multiple takes and post production polish. Theatre gives you one chance, and the cast rise to that challenge.
Ben Onwukwe, as Red, is the clear standout. He narrates the story, anchors the production and carries an enormous amount of emotional weight. It is no small thing to follow in the footsteps of Morgan Freeman, but Onwukwe does an outstanding job, capturing the warmth, wit and weariness of Red while making the role his own.
Kenneth Jay’s performance as Brooksie is another highlight. His portrayal is deeply moving, and along with Onwukwe, he is one of the characters that truly makes you feel like you are inside Shawshank. The tone, pacing and emotional beats feel spot on.
Joe McFadden as Andy Dufresne offers a slightly different interpretation to the film. He leans into Andy’s quiet, gentle nature, but what is interesting is how much more openly defiant his Andy feels later in the story. Where the film version feels worn down before the escape, McFadden’s Andy seems to fight back with renewed energy, standing his ground more visibly. You could argue this is a necessity of stage acting, where emotions need to be clearer and more pronounced, but it works well and gives the character a distinct edge.
Bill Ward is convincingly menacing as Warden Stammas, ruling through fear, power and control. His presence reinforces the constant threat hanging over the prison, making Andy’s quiet resistance all the more powerful.
The production received a standing ovation on its first night in Cardiff, and it was well deserved. With a running time of around two hours and twenty minutes including one interval, it never feels indulgent. It tackles difficult themes head on, including violence, strong language and sexual threat, and is rightly age rated 12 plus.
Stephen King has written more than 60 bestselling novels, and while The Shawshank Redemption began life as a relatively short story, it has grown into one of the most loved films of all time, nominated for seven Academy Awards. This stage adaptation honours that legacy while proving the story still has real power in a live setting.
Whether you are a Stephen King fan, loved the film, or are coming to the story fresh, this production is electrifying and well worth seeing.
The Shawshank Redemption runs from 13 to 17 January 2026 at the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre.
