The Shawshank Redemption - The Lowry

WHENEVER we discover one of our favourite films has been adapted for the stage we tend to become ridiculously over protective, hoping they do justice to the original.

I too fall into that trap. But watching this absorbing tale of courage and friendship, a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, it soon became apparent my fears were totally unfounded.

As a film, The Shawshank Redemption made a last impression on me and the stage version did, too.

Joe Absolom plays Andy Dufresne, a bright guy who finds himself incarcerated in a grim prison which seems to have one purpose and one purpose alone - to break the spirit of its inmates. Rehabilitation isn’t so much a dirty word at the Shawshank. It’s never uttered by those running this hellish institution.

Andy has a sharp financial brain and his impressive set of skills are soon exploited by the governor who hides under a cloak of Christianity.

Joe Absolom is totally engaging as Duffresne, ensuring we as an audience hang on his every word and find ourselves hoping justice will finally be visited on him when it appears a question mark hangs over his conviction.

There’s a natural chemistry between him and Ben Onwukwe who plays Red, a seasoned con who can get the prisoners anything they want.

Joe Reisig is exceptionally scary as Hadley, the prison officer who talks to his charges using his truncheon and Kenneth Jay is outstanding as Brooksie, the ageing prisoner who runs the library and for library read Brooksie’s reason for living.

While there are some difficult and powerful scenes and themes in this piece, it remains for me a modern day masterpiece and a must see.

Highly recommended.

Until November 5. Tickets are available from 0343 208 6000 or www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - ****