"The Shawshank Redemption"

Encore Performing Arts.

Duchess Theatre.

Based on the novella "Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King. Adapted for the stage by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns.

Andy Dufresne is sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison, Shawshank. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red, experiences brutality of prison life, adapts to the system, helps Warden Stammas, and discovers who really did murder his wife and her lover, all in 19 years.

This production is different in parts to the two touring productions of the show that I have seen, but different does not mean any less powerful in the hands of a Director like Adam Guest. 

Jason Kramer is Andy Dufresne, the young, good looking professional who is bound to be the target of the prison deviants, called "The Sisters" who see the newbies as "fresh meat". While the brutal attack of Dufresne is part of the script, you'll be pleased to know that this isn't visual, but never the less, still created an air of sickening unease. I thought that Jason was a new name to me but could this be the same Jason Kramer who played "The Beast" for Kaleidoscope Players? The roles played by this cast are roles that can not be drawn on from experience (as far as I know) and seeing Jason and the rest of the cast portraying these characters with such feeling and realism really makes you realise of the talent they have, submerging you in a world that we also shouldn't know anything about.

Warden Stammas is as corrupt as some of the inmates who will do anything within his power, and occasionally outside it, to get what he wants, not stopping at silencing the inmate who goes against what he says by wanting to help Dufresne. Played by Kheenan Jones he successfully depicts the power and control he has over the inmates, as well as the staff. Kheenan shows the dangerous calm that Stammas has to get whatever he wants, the unflappable attitude and hold over everyone though only goes so far, as he discovers near the end of this play. Kheenan is so good at portraying darker characters on stage, like Frankenstein's Monster in "Frankenstein" or Judd in "Oklahoma", which shows what a wonderful, but dark, character actor he is.

Red, played by Phil Stanley,  is one of those lovely, warm characters who will do anything he can to help anyone he can, bending the Shawshank laws to do so. His character's reaction to the parole news was a picture and made you want to punch the air because he is such a nice guy; Red and Phil. Red also acts as the narrator. I have seen Phil in many stage roles, but I can't remember the last time that I saw him not in a musical, which is why this role shows a whole new image of Phil Stanley the actor. 

I also loved the role of Brooksie, the aged librarian, played by Steve Dunning. Brookes found it difficult to come to terms with life outside of prison and atoning for his crime. There's a part which will have you with a heavy heart near the end. I think one of the reasons why Encore has managed to attract so many excellent actors is the fact that roles in this play come around very rarely and the actors all want a chance to play characters and roles that are very different to those played before. Steve I last saw playing Grandpa Joe in "Willy Wonka", a million miles away from the lovable librarian here. There's one scene where Brooksie gets parole and is saying goodbye to everyone in the library that has become his life while behind bars, dressed in a suit. That speech about his feelings drives home the fear he has of leaving a place which has been his life for so many years and going back into a world where he can't even get a library card to borrow books from. A riveting and sad piece of theatre delivered with fear and sadness.

Another character you really root for is Tommy Williams, played by Harvey Tavener. Tommy wants to pass his exams and, with Andy's help, succeeds. Stammas lies to Andy about this before getting rid of him, and again lying to Andy by telling him that Tommy "should have been on suicide" watch due to him failing his exams again. Stammas did not have to spell anything out for Andy after that, but Andy knows exactly what was implied, and also realises what really happens. Harvey is ideal for this role as when Tommy is first seen at the end of act one, being taunted by the other inmates as the latest delivery of "fresh fish", you know the dangers and threat that Tommy  will be in line for. Tommy has information that could help Andy, but as soon as Stammas discovers this, Tommy is offered an alternative outcome, just weeks before his parole date......

Dan Bates plays Dawkins, a violent inmate with a short fuse, often involved in the gritty, tense, or dramatic moments of the play's prison life. As with many of this cast, I've seen them play various roles, but this is a role very different to his musical, straight and comedy roles. Dan's face takes on a very different appearance without his facial hair, and for the role of Dawkins, perfectly suits that hardman, slightly sinister look.

Rico, frequently seen as a comedic character who brings splashes of light relief to the dark, brutal environment of the prison, is played by Ollie Turner. Without Rico's comedic twisting in the library, or his removal of certain pages from a certain D.H. Lawrence book, along with several other scenes that include Ollie to lighten the story, this dark play would be so much darker. Nice to see Ollie back on stage and in such an important role.

Luke Grainger plays Bogs Diamond, one of "The Sisters". This role is the darkest role I have seen Luke play. Bogs is the leader of "The Sisters" and is a violent and sadistic character, with a voice as deep and menacing as the character is. This must have really stretched Luke's acting when I think of the roles I've seen him play over the years. That, I imagine, will also be the reason why Luke auditioned for the part; to play someone so distanced from his acting comfort zone. This play shows that he is just as good at playing dark characters as convincingly as the lighter character roles we have seen him play. Luke's facial recognition of Bogs' depraved and sadistic power is hauntingly menacing, and I'm not used to seeing Luke smiling so little in a role. Can't wait for when "Silence Of the Lambs" to be up for licence for amateur groups because, if I was a Director, I'd be looking for someone like Luke for Hannibal Lector.... but there may be another cast member who he'd have to fight off......

Jack Readyhoof is Rooster, a dangerous, conflicted inmate serving two life sentences for a violent crime. Jack is one of those rare actors who has the ability to change his whole image and persona just by a change in how his face looks. He is so good at looking evil, quite devilish as Rooster. There's something about Jack's eyes that can all of a sudden change to pure evil, and a smile that scare the bejeezus out of you. Watching Jack on stage is like looking into the eyes of a Rottweiller who may look like they are laughing at you, but you know that you're in the company of a dangerous and psychotic animal who will do you great harm. Fortunately I know Jack well enough to say that he is one of the nicest, and quite quietest of men away from a stage, which makes his onstage personas so distanced from his own. One of my favourite sinister actors ever!

Richard Dawson plays Pinky, another one of "The Sisters". Pinky is involved in the darker, more predatory aspects of inmate life, contributing to the, tense, and dangerous atmosphere of the prison. As with Luke, this role is so far removed to the normal roles they usually play, and it is great to see both of them taking on roles so far from their comfort zones. I think what also makes this role seem so different for Richard is the fact that he has shaved off his facial hair, and without his trademark glasses, Richard looks a completely different person.

It's been a while since I've seen Martin Holtom on stage, which is testament to the quality of this piece of theatre and Encore Performing Arts, as it has seduced several local actors like Martin back to the stage. Martin plays Entwistle one of the guards in the penitentiary, who does as he is told by Hadley. There are a couple of times with Entwistle that, if you look at him, you can almost see a flinch, almost as if he was as afraid of Hadley as some of the inmates are. While having to follow the rules of Shawshank, Entwistle does have a more compassionate side, as shown in Martin's portrayal.

Giacomo Ciccognani, a new name to me, plays Chief Hadley, a cruel, wicked, corrupt, and sadistic prison guard who frequently abuses his authority, and not just with the inmates. Where has Giacomo been over the years? He shows great confidence, especially in this role, so I automatically assume that this is not his first stage role. Again, it's the lure of a brilliant play, meaty role, and a theatre group as renowned as Encore, that has attracted an actor like Giacomo to the Long Eaton stage. There are a few characters in Shawshank who you will detest, and I have always said that a good actor will make you feel some emotion towards the character they are playing, whether that be good or bad, and at the bows at the end, you could tell that the audience were undecided as to cheer or boo Hadley, Stammas and The Sisters. Hopefully we'll see another acting side of Giacomo sometime in the future.

Directed by Adam Guest, with the Director's Assistant being Emma Kelvey. Adam is one of those people who turns everything that he touches to gold, especially with these darker plays. Not only does he manage to draw out amazing performances from all of his actors, but his name is so well known and admired throughout local theatre, that actors want to work with him and Encore. Having known Adam for over a decade, I know that his work ethic is monumental, which is why he gets the results that he gets every time. I also love that he takes so much time over things like incidental music, getting just the right tone for every production he comes into contact with. Never one for looking at the "easy" option in theatre, just to get bums on seats, Encore have a knack of choosing different, often harrowing pieces of theatre to the stage. They take risks by offering alternative drama, another reason why this group is like a magnet to talented actors who like to stretch themselves on stage.

Lucy Young  is Production Manager and Production Assistant is Daisy Donoghue.

Set Designers are Jason Kramer, Emma Kelvey and Katie Bird. The main set consists of a row of metal cell doors, but these are cleverly converted into  being able to see inside the cells, solitary confinement and the new library that is set up by Stammas and Dufresne.

Standard prison costumes are all there with the smart officer style costumes for the staff and Stammas wears a smart, expensive looking suit, the three levels of status clearly depicted in the costumes, sourced by Amanda Warriner.

Stage Manger for this play is Lucy Young and Katie Bird. While the cast do quite a bit of the scenery changes, Lucy and Katie are almost invisible to the audience, which is the sign of a great stage management team. Everything runs as smooth as silk with this pair on management duties.

Many props included on stage and all sourced by Katie Bird.

Lighting plays a very important part of this play, creating atmosphere, sometimes as dark as the action is on stage, as are the sound effects involved in bring the sounds of prison life to life. The Technical Team responsible for this area consist of David Price and Jack Clark, who is fast becoming one of the busiest techies in the area, as well as a competent Stage manager, as proven last Sunday evening at Derby Theatre. The combined talents of David and Jack with sound and light enhances the uncomfortable aura in this show.

I must also mention the programme, which is full of fun bits about the cast, with various entertaining articles, and I love the music choices by each actor to keep them sane in solitary confinement. Designed by Matt Powell and the articles included by Adam Guest. A bargain as well as a great reminder of a powerful piece of theatre.

Every production that Encore put on, they collect for a charity which has a connection to the play. For this show the charity chosen to collect for is Switchback which is a charity that supports young male prison leavers one on one to make definitive changes in their lives to stop them reoffending.

If you like theatre that will put you on edge, make you feel uneasy, has shock value, leaving you occupying only half of your seat, then this is the play to see this week. Plus where else are you going to see an all-male cast locally?

"The Shawshank Redemption" is at the Duchess Theatre until Saturday 9 May.

Photography by Megan Hill

Please note the show contains the following themes which some audience members may find distressing:

- Prison life and behaviour.

- Sexual violence.

- Strong language.

- Suicide and murder.