REVIEW: The Shawshank Redemption, Wyndham's Theatre, September 15 2009

After a highly successful run in Dublin The Shawshank Redemption transfers into the West End.  With such a high profile and well loved film everyone is bound to make comparisons and this production seems acutely aware of the fact, preserving the decision to keep the character of Red as an African American rather than as a Irish American, as he is in the original Stephen King novella.  Even the look of Kevin Anderson as new arrival at the 'Shank' Andy Dufresne, and Reg E. Cathey as Red seem based on Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in the 1994 film.

For the most part Anderson does not seem to quite encapsulate the quiet, strong demeanour we feel Dufresne should possess to keep him fighting, but we certainly do warm to Cathey who brings a measured sagacity to the role.  Strong performances come from some of the smaller roles: Geoffrey Hutchings is excellent as the prison librarian Brooksie, Diarmuid Noyes entertaining as the rather dopey Tommy and Joe Hanley, as Bogs, makes for a great villain along with his two sidekicks Nicholas Aaron and Barry Aird, even winning themselves a few boos at the curtain call.

An odd disparity arises from the production's use of language, whilst remaining set in the 1940s and 50s complete with appropriate costume and a Rita Hayworth poster, the coarse profanities are all together of a more modern era.

Credit must go to a very simple yet very effective set design by Ferdia Murphy, incorporating the opening and closing of cell doors and the company do a great job of quickly bringing on and off various items to set the different prison rooms.

It's a show that definitely improves in the second act but never really captures the idea of mutual friendship and support between Red and Dufresne or gives us that sense of ever flourishing hope.

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