A stage adaptation of Frank Darabont’s 1994 classic film The Shawshank Redemption has debuted in Shenzhen, China.
Once banned in China, The Shawshank Redemption is based on Stephen King’s 1983 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, and stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
In 2009, Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns adapted the film into a play, which premiered in Dublin, London, on Broadway and around the world.
Chinese actor and director Zhang Guoli has now brought the production to China. First premiering in Shenzhen on 12-14 January, the play will continue its tour to Shanghai on 18-21 January and Beijing on 25-28 January.
Guoli translates the stage play’s Western narrative into a unique cultural context for China, delivering a linguistic evolution of the story with nuances from the two cultures.
The cast comprises of an all-Western cast who will perform their roles in Mandarin for local audiences. Comedian Mark Roswell, also known by his Chinese name Da Shan, takes on the role of narrator, Red. Shawn Patrick Moore plays villain Rooster, and Matt William Knowles stars as antagonist Hadley.
“This project is breaking boundaries in so many ways and I am more than thrilled to be part of the journey,” said Knowles, who also starred in the Chinese blockbuster, Asura.
The show is being co-produced by the China Dream Live Entertainment and the Longma Entertainment.
