Review: The Shawshank Redemption, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

I guess it just never really appealed to me, but it is now up there in my top ten.

Andy Dufresne, a man serving a double life sentence for the murder of his wife and her lover, constantly protests his innocence. Once within the walls of the infamous Shawshank State Penitentiary, he forms an unlikely friendship with Red, an influential fellow inmate and black marketer who helps Andy to survive the physical and mental ill-treatment which is part and parcel of prison life at the hands of sadistic guards and prison rapists known as The Sisters.

Despite the Warden Stammas' best efforts to use and abuse Andy's accountancy skills for his own ends and the fact that his body is detained indefinitely, Andy's soul and mind remain free as he finds redemption through a simple, respectful relationship with a man he would be unlikely to befriend on the outside.

This is a TV star studded cast, headed by Paul Nicholls who perfectly captures the frustration and exasperation as Andy, in what must surely be an award-winning performance, while still retaining likeability and provoking sympathy for his character.

Ben Onwukwe's Shakespearian training is evident as he displays outstanding technique in his portrayal of the character of Red. While bringing out the character's wisdom and sense of fairness, the darker side of his character is a constant reminder that he is of course a triple murderer.

Jack Ellis is detestable as the sanctimonious, devout Christian bully Warden Stammas, displaying the sinister aspects of religion and leaving a very uncomfortable sensation in his wake and there is also a seasoned, heart-wrenching performance from Andrew Boyer as Brooksie, an inmate incarcerated for 32 years and then freed.

In fact the twelve strong cast are all outstanding, but the superb performances from Jeff Alexander as Bogs Diamond and Sean Croke as Rooster really make the skin crawl. The rape scenes together with Paul Nicholls are so realistic and disturbing, you are tempted to look away from the stage, but are of course essential to the story line and were executed to perfection.

The mood and setting of the play is dim and grey with a minimalistic set reminiscent of a stifling cell block and the musical interludes of cool American hits and expert movement of props by the cast ensure the scenes flow seamlessly from one to the other.

As you would expect the script is gritty and peppered with obscenities, but there are moments of humour too, which offer light relief, just as in real life.

The Shawshank Redemption is certainly one of the best plays the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has hosted for a long time and although I am reliably informed is not a perfect representation of the big screen version, there is no doubt that this exceptional stage adaptation stands strong on its own merits. Unmissable!

Runs until Saturday. Call 01902 429212 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk for tickets.