It seems incredible but the first screening of the movie film, The Shawshank Redemption was 29 years ago. Based on the 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King, the stage adaptation of the story of a miscarriage of justice and the long battle of Andy Dufresne to clear his name comes to the Theatre Royal Bath this month.
The Shawshank Redemption examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum-security facility. The movie starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and was nominated for seven Academy Awards. This stage production is adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns and is directed by David Esbjornson with Joe Absolom and Ben Onwukwe in the main roles.
The Shawshank Redemption runs from Monday 27th March to Saturday 1st April, 2023.
Tickets: Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk
The photo shows The Shawshank Redemption – Ben Onwukwe as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding and Joe Absolom as Andy Dufresne – Credit Jack Merriman
Learning to Fly
Also this month James Rowland makes a welcome return to Bath this month when he brings his latest show,
the uplifting and big-hearted Edinburgh Festival hit, Learning to Fly, to the Ustinov Studio on Friday 24 th March at 8pm.
In a captivating mix of theatre, comedy and music, James tells the remarkable story of a friendship he made when he was a lonely, unhappy teenager with the scary old lady who lived in the spooky house on his street. Recommended for ages 14 and over, Learning to Fly is about connection, no matter what the obstacles; about love’s eternal struggle with time; about music and its ability to heal. It’s also about his neighbour’s last wish: to get high once before she dies.
Awarded five stars by The Guardian and described as “a riveting, remarkable hour of theatre”, Learning to Fly enjoyed a hugely successful run at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival. James Rowland last performed at Bath’s Ustinov Studio in 2020 with his acclaimed Songs of Friendship Trilogy.
Learning to Fly appears at the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath on Friday 24 th March.
Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and
online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov