Shawshank Redemption receives UK stage premier

This September, Stephen King’s The Shawshank Redemption, will receive its UK stage premiere at the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre.

The play is written by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns and is based on King’s 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The story follows the seven-time academy award nominated 1994 film starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The tale details the life of Andy Dufresne who, was convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Dufresne is sent to Shawshank Prison where he must endure to a cruel regime and a life without his family or his freedom. Kevin Anderson takes the lead role with Reg E Cathey as Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, in the West End production, which is directed by Peter Sheridan, with design by Ferdia Murphy, sound by Dennis Clohessy and lighting by Kevin Treacy. The Shawshank Redemption made its world premiere at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin in May. It will open at the Wyndham’s Theatre from September 13 to February 14, 2010. Previews begin on September 4.