Comedians bring 'Shawshank' drama to the stage

Two stand-up comedians have penned the first stage adaptation of the acclaimed prison film 'The Shawshank Redemption', it emerged today.

Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns explored their more serious sides to secure the rights to pen the script for the play which will have its world premiere in Dublin.

Based on the Stephen King novel, the big screen version of 'The Shawshank Redemption' starred Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

Acclaimed director Peter Sheridan said theatre fans can now see the powerful story of one man’s long struggle against injustice brought to life in the Gaiety Theatre in May.

“It is a story that people have a huge expectation around so one is always conscious of living up to that,” said Mr Sheridan.

“These two lads obviously write their own material for their own stage shows and Owen O’Neill has also working on a number of screen plays so he’s been knocking on the door for quite some time.

“But there are kind of certain humorous scenes in the stage version that weren’t in the movie because the guys would have a very good eye and very good ear for comedy. So there’s some funny stuff that wouldn’t be within all the grim reality of the Shawshank.

“It’s going to be very interesting.”

Northern Ireland born O’Neill is a playwright, actor and comedian and is currently writing and directing a short film.

He has won a string of awards at the Edinburgh Festival and had the original idea of staging and co-producing the classic American play 'Twelve Angry Men' using 12 stand-up comedians.

Dave Johns, from Newcastle, is a regular on television panel shows and toured the world’s comedy festivals.

The pair met on the set of the West End play 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest', starring Christian Slater, and began working on the new script.

Neither of them will star in the production but negotiations are ongoing with two American actors to take the lead roles before rehearsals start next month.

Lane Productions, which previously produced 'Stone In His Pockets' and 'Alone It Stands', will present 'The Shawshank Redemption' from Tuesday, May 19.

The company’s Breda Cashe said it was a theatrical coup.

“I’ve been working on getting the rights from Stephen King for over two years now so it’s a real thrill to announce our plans for the world stage premiere of this iconic story for May this year at the Gaiety Theatre,” added Ms Cashe.

“I’m amazed at the response to the news from actors, the public and there’s even a few West End producers banging on our door.”