Shoppers and theatre-lovers are flocking back to the Dorfman: Pride, the stage musical based on the 2014 film, is louder, queerer and unexpectedly tender, telling the true story of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners with music, laughs and proper heart , and reminding us why solidarity still matters.

Essential Takeaways

  • Bold ensemble: The show shares the spotlight across characters, giving the miners and activists warm, distinct voices and strong group chemistry.
  • Music that shifts: Pop-rock numbers evolve into Welsh folk textures, disco and heartfelt show-tunes , varied but never gratuitous.
  • Emotional arc: The production balances joy and grief well; it lands both the comic moments and the somber AIDS-era turns.
  • Queer-centred staging: The musical form amplifies queer expression in ways the film didn’t, making the story feel more authentic and celebratory.
  • Small omissions: The stage version compresses some history , notably the role of lesbians in LGSM and later splits , for dramatic clarity.

Opening hook: It’s louder and queerer than you remember

The National Theatre’s Pride hits with a warm, raucous embrace; laughter and applause arrive fast, and you can feel the theatre buzzing. Audiences who loved the 2014 film will recognise the broad strokes, but the musical’s energy and choreography give the story a brighter, more communal feel. According to reviews and programme notes, director Matthew Warchus keeps the same guiding hand but lets the stage do what film can’t: make queer joy unignorable.

Why the musical outdoes the movie in feeling “queer”

Musical theatre has always been a space that welcomes flamboyance, camp, and emotional honesty, so adapting Pride into song and ensemble numbers naturally queers the narrative. Critics note that the stage production foregrounds characters’ identities through costume, voice and choreography in ways the film only hinted at. That doesn’t mean it shuts out straight audiences , rather, it invites everybody to feel the thrill of communal celebration.

Performances and characters worth watching

The cast divides the spotlight generously. There’s a magnetic central turn as the activist who sparks the movement, but real joy comes from strong supporting performances: the sardonic ex-thespian who steals scenes with voice and dance, the young activist finding his feet, and the Welsh miners whose own dignity and humour anchor the story. These performances make both the political stakes and the small domestic moments feel lived-in.

The music: familiar musical-theatre polish with local colour

Early songs lean into the glossy pop-rock sound that dominates many contemporary musicals, but the score develops textures that nod to Wales’ musical traditions and the era’s disco and show-tune styles. This variety helps the show avoid monotony: when miners sing together, you get authentic communal harmonies; when the activists perform, the numbers feel like rallies turned into joyful theatre.

What the show simplifies , and why that matters

For pace and clarity, the book compresses some historical complexity. The musical tends to fold the broader lesbian involvement into one central female character, which streamlines the line-up but also elides important schisms, like the formation of Lesbians Against Pit Closures later on. If you want the fuller history, background articles and archives fill in those gaps , but as a piece of popular theatre the production chooses emotional through-lines over exhaustive detail.

Practical tips for seeing Pride

Book early; shows at the Dorfman sell well and the ensemble numbers make for communal, uplifting audience moments. If you want context before you go, read up on the miners’ strike of the mid-1980s and LGSM’s real-life campaigns , it’ll sharpen some of the show's political beats. Expect to laugh, sing along in your head and perhaps find your eyes damp by the end.

It's a small change that can make every performance feel like a reunion.

Source Reference Map

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