UK stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption heading to Regal Theatre in 2027

Get busy living or get busy dying with news that the celebrated stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption is coming to Australia.

Direct from its acclaimed UK tour, The Shawshank Redemption will play in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide from January 2027, performing at Subiaco’s Regal Theatre from March 12.

Adapted for the stage by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, and directed by David Esbjornson — who directed Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones in the Australian tour of Driving Miss Daisy — this acclaimed production is said to capture the emotional power and humanity that has made The Shawshank Redemption one of the world’s most enduring stories.

Based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the 1994 film adaptation was nominated for seven Academy Awards as the story of friendship, redemption and resilience of the human spirit became a cinema classic.

This stage production places audiences mere metres from the action as Andy Dufresne is wrongly convicted of the brutal murders of his wife and her lover, sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Shawshank prison.

Andy forms an unlikely friendship with fellow inmate Red as he navigates the harsh realities of incarceration, and when the corrupt Warden seeks to exploit Andy’s talents for his own gain, a daring plan quietly begins to emerge.

“The Shawshank Redemption has captivated audiences around the world because it speaks to something universal, the enduring power of hope,” producer Craig Donnell says.

“We’re honoured to bring this extraordinary story to Australian stages and share an unforgettable theatrical experience with audiences across the country.

“Great theatre doesn’t just entertain; it stays with you long after you’ve left the auditorium. The Shawshank Redemption is one of those rare stories that continues to resonate across generations, a story of hope, courage and perseverance, and I can’t think of a more important story to share with audiences today.”

The Shawshank Redemption is at Regal Theatre from March 12, 2027. Waitlist for casting announcements and ticket information at shawshanklive.com.au.