"The Shawshank Redemption" adapted by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns.

Derby Theatre.

I will willingly admit that I have never seen the 1994 film starring Tom Robbins and Morgan Freeman, nor read the novella by Stephen King, so this is my first connection to "The Shawshank Redemption". 

The stage play is based on King's book "Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption" and is the story of Andy Dufresne, played by Joe Absolom, and Dufresne's protestation of his innocence after he has been given a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover.

Incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone. He strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, played by Ben Onwukwe, and things take a slight turn for the better. However, when Warden Stammas, played by Mark Heenehan, decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched…

I've watched Absolom from his "Eastenders" role through to "Doc Martin" and had been expecting a voice as the one used in Doc Martin, but no, his voice has raised for this part, which straight away, in my mind, created this different character of Dufresne. This in itself enabled me to see past the actor and see the character. Dufresne is intelligent and a fighter, standing up to the bullies and using his knowledge to deter further abuse from "the sisters". See the show to understand what I mean, if you've not seen the film.

Ben Onwukwe, a name I was not aware of until tonight, really draws you into his character; a character who knows how to work the system to his advantage. I really enjoyed Ben's performance and found myself really getting behind his character, Red. I also loved the parole scene, which came as a surprise - well for anyone who'd not seen the film, or read the book. The ending with Red and Andy just needed to reduce to a small hole with the sun shining through to make it perfect. You almost wanted to punch the air with joy at the "loveliness" of the scene.

Mark Heenehan's character is a really nasty piece of work, although there is a section where you just think that he is almost on Andy's side, but then we see that is just for exploitation purposes, after Andy had offered to help him.

Brooksie, played by Kenneth Jay, is the elder statesman of Shawshank and runs the library. With not having seen the film, I found Brooksie character here to be so sad following his successful parole. A reaction that I can understand after spending so much time being a big fish in a little pond, only to be released into a world that would take away all his kudos built up inside.

An excellent performance delivered by Coulter Dittman, who played Tommy, the newcomer who achieved what he had aimed for in Shawshank, His reformation attempt was his downfall. Great accent as well.

Directed by David Esbjornson and Tim Welton they keep the action going at a nifty pace, helped by the rapid scene changes.

The set, which is designed by Gary McCann created everything you needed to see visually to put you inside a state penitentiary, providing a sense of unescapable constriction.

Sound is by Andy Graham and Lighting by Chris Davey. Both creating just the right aura with the heavy slamming doors and dimmed lighting, especially needed at the start when the three new inmates were on stage with just their folded uniforms to hide their naked modesty. This giving the current inmates to intimidate the fresh meat just arriving.

There was more comedy than I'd expected in this dark and gritty piece of drama. Most if it being of the intelligent kind of comedy, forcing you to listen carefully for the delivered script to get the maximum comedy impact.

The scene changes also gave way for some excellent snatches of music to move the story on. The Beatles, Roger Miller, Johnny Cash and I may have even noticed a track from The Doors, I may have been mistaken.

I really enjoyed this production and with the entire play lasting less than two hours, you should not find yourself looking at your watch as there is enough action on stage to keep you well and truly focused.

There is a minimum age restriction for this play of 12+ due to strong language, scenes that hint of a sexual nature and some adult male nudity.

"The Shawshank Redemption" is at Derby Theatre only until Saturday 17 September.