The Shawshank Redemption – Review – Leeds Grand Theatre
By Steve Crabtree, May 2026
Ashamedly, I was a real late-comer to watching The Shawshank Redemption film. Only seeing it for the first time during lockdown in 2020. By then, this much loved and forever talked about classic had been around for 26 years. You get less for murder…
What had I been doing all that time to miss out on this absolute epic? I got what all the fuss was about as soon as I did watch it, and I’ve seen it a number of times since. What a flick.
So, the stage show really appealed to me the first time I saw in in 2023. Me and the wife went along to opening night for this one. Alex loves the film too, so we’d been looking forward to it since we heard it was coming to Leeds.
“Loud clunk”
As we wandered into Leeds Grand, it seemed like we had a sell-out. I couldn’t see a free seat in the stalls anyway. It was an adult lot, a mix of ages, and I’d guess mostly fans of the film over regular theatre goers… but who knows?
When the lights went down, we were hit with the loud clunk of the prison door slamming shut. It told us where we were, and it was grim. A very dull, unpleasant place to be – definitely not somewhere you’d like to spend your life after you’ve taken someone else’s.
With three newbies lined up with their prison clothes folded in their arms, they were greeted by hostile inmates, making it loud and clear that Shawshank isn’t the place to be.
“Cleverly played”
As he did in the 2023 version that I saw in Bradford, Ben Onwukwe narrated and played the role of Red superbly. Taking on a role that is Morgan Freeman through and through is a tough ask, but he gave us a fantastic portrayal of the lovable and level headed murderer, and applied the best use of comic timing considered for the story. He was great with the funny bits too.
Across from him, Joe McFadden played Andy – the ‘banker boy’ – and I enjoyed his version of the character. I found him a bit different from the big screen version of Dufrense… much more scared and timid than the film version, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Bill Ward played the dislikable Warden Stammas really well, so much so that you felt as much disdain for him as the cell mates did. And, out of a stellar cast, there’s a special shout out for Ashley D Gale, playing the role of Rooster. You laughed with and loathed Rooster in equal measure, and the presence of Gale is probably why I came away with mixed thoughts about him.
Very cleverly played.
“Beaming smile”
As the story ticks on, you’re reminded of key scenes from the movie. The sadness that surrounds Brooksie when he leaves jail, and the Rita Hayworth poster and what’s behind it.
The plenty of fight scenes were perhaps a little flimsy, but the gang rape scene is dark and dealt with in a none-graphic but stomach-churning way. You felt an unease at that moment and the use of lighting made you hold your breathe.
In fact, lighting plays a big part in the whole set-up – shifting from the library to the prison cell, and from the heat-infused rooftop to the canteen and the Warden’s office. It’s moody in places, but light-hearted in others. Making what is a dark story into a bit of a heart warming thing.
In fact, what really makes the night for this production of The Shawshank Redemption was the ending. One thing I really liked was how Red got his parole, before going off to find his friend. When you’ve seen the film, you know it’s coming but Onwukwe did it in such a way that you couldn’t help but raise a beaming smile.
Seeing The Shawshank Redemption live brings a slightly different edge to the story. It’s lighter in places, and heavy in parts – but the stage version really does do the film and the book justice.
If you’re a fan of the film, or the book, go watch it.
The Shawshank Redemption continues its run at Leeds Grand Theatre until Saturday 23rd May.
Images: Jack Merriman
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
