The stage production of Shawshank Redemption at the Theatre Royal Windsor returns after “unprecedented demand.”

Directed by David Esbjornson, it’s an adaptation from the realist novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (1982) by the mighty Stephen King,

Through the character of banker Andy Dufresne (Joe McFadden), imprisoned for double murder “he did not commit”; it’s a powerful, captivating and redemptive story of human perseverance.

Based in the fictional correctional facility of Shawshank State Prison where brutality, violence, gang rape, morally questionable prison guards (and more) are just around the corner, Andy forges a deep connection with Red (played by Ben Onwukwe).

Ultimately this is a storming and thunderous stage production.

Ultimately the friendship is the conduit to discuss institutionalisation and rehabilitation.

As with any adaptation of a book the main hurdle is doing justice to the original.

In this case the stage production faced two giant hurdles to that adaptation: perfection and expectation.

How do you adapt a story by the stellar Stephen King  when it is ‘perfect’ (in my humble estimations). And how do you meet ‘expectation’ when you are faced by a classic film like Shawshank Redemption (1994) by the marvellous Frank Darabont.

In this stage production it clears the hurdles with room to spare.

Set design was authentic and drew you into that 40’s period of time when the play was set. Small touches with the old school radio, Rita Hayworth pics all really set the stage for actors to shine.

And indeed, they did shine.

Ben as Red and (the pivotal character in many ways), narrates the trials and tribulations of Andy and the prison with aplomb. He sets the foundation adding colour and humour to a play that at times discusses and depicts hard hitting subjects-suicide and gang rape the most challenging. Rooster (played by Ash D Gayle) as one of the rapists was particularly unsettling. His character found true glee in his attempts to emasculate Andy.

Through Red, Joe (as Andy) in turn, takes on his role as the fly in the ointment of the chilling and vicious charm of Warden Stammas played by Bill Ward.

Joe shines as he morphs from Andy the banker from a privileged background into Andy a prisoner who has status and weight within the prison.

Ultimately this is a storming and thunderous stage production.

I was worried that I would leave the play feeling I had just been placed in solitude by Warden Stammas.

Thankfully however, I found that volcanic rock.

Images Jack Merriman