The stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption will embark on a new U.K. tour beginning August 31 at Theatre Royal in Windsor. The cast will be led by Joe Absolom (Midsomer Murders) as Andy Dufresne and Ben Onwukwe (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as Ellis "Red" Redding. Onwukwe returns to the role after starring in a 2016 U.K. tour of the work; that production will be re-staged for this new outing.

David Esbjornson is back at the helm after directing the 2016 tour, with designs by Gary McCann and lighting design by Chris Davey. Further casting and creative team will be announced in the coming weeks.

This stage adaptation of the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, best known from its 1994 screen adaptation starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, is penned by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns, centering on banker Andy, suffering through an unjust life sentence in prison and befriending a fellow inmate. The work debuted in 2009 at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, playing London's West End later the same year. The adaptation made its North American debut in 2019 at Missouri's Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre.

The new tour is produced by Bill Kenwright.