'The Shawshank Redemption' on stage in the UK

Inspiring stage production of a film classic

The movie version of Stephen King's short story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is generally considered one of the best films ever made. Last night's Londonderry debut of the acclaimed stage adaptation showed that King's tale works just as well as a play.


The Shawshank Redemption was a two-hour tour de force, with up to 17 actors onstage at any time. Derry's Millennium Forum was transformed into the foreboding Shawshank State Prison, with mesmerising use of light, sound effects and music transporting the audience back to 1950s and '60s Maine.

The stage was perhaps smaller than some the West End production has been used to, but the cramped confines worked in the play's favour, underlining the feeling of claustrophobia.

As in the movie, narrator 'Red' -- played onscreen by Morgan Freeman and here by John Earl Jelks -- was black, rather than the flame-haired Irishman of King's imagination. The genial fixer introduced us to Andy Dufresne, an educated banker convicted of murdering his wife. California Chronicles for full story

Millennium Forum


June 1-5 2010
Address
Newmarket Street
Derry
BT48 6EB
Box Office 028 7126 4455
Webwww.millenniumforum.co.uk
Emailinfo@millenniumforum.co.ukLinksLocation

Question of the Day #41: Has anyone asked you what types of books you like to read and when you tell them Stephen King's books they look at you like you have a problem?

Yes, this has happened to me on several occasions through the years.  Honestly people, they are just books! I want to tell them geeze, I'm not evil  because I  like to read SK's books. If the people who completely clam up, crease their eyebrows, or look surprised would just give his books a chance they may  find some of his literature very entertaining with hours of reading pleasure.  His books are not all "Doom and Gloom", so to speak.


Here is an example of some of the responses that I have received, this happened to me on Facebook:  I posted that I was waiting in line overnight to meet my favorite author Stephen King for a book signing.  My friends on FB were asking, "YOU like him?" I told them that it had been a dream of mine to meet him for years. (Again, you must be a weirdo, came through in the posts.) I only had one or two people seem sincerely happy for me.  I even had posters tell me that they thought he was weird--but not one name caller had read any of his books. (Imagine that.)  I seriously doubt they had ever read or watched any of his interviews either.  His interviews are engaging and funny, even if you aren't a fan.  He has never come through as a weirdo during any interview that I have seen.  Even one of my FB friend's favorite movies was Shawshank Redemption and was totally unaware that King had written that one. (That was funny.) They have this pop culture perception of him that I feel is just wrong. The media has tried to paint a darker picture of him that I feel may discourage some people from reading his books which in my opinion, is a crying shame. The thing that is so cool about SK is that he is just a regular, "down to earth" guy, who cares about his readers and people in general. Stephen King has worked his whole life to provide enjoyment, through reading, to the masses.  Sorry to be so wordy, but this has been bugging me for a very long time.

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Question of the Day #8: What are your top 3 favorite films by SK?

1.  The Shawshank Redemption
2.  The Green Mile (a close second)
3.  Misery



*Post your thoughts or opinions in comments.