Shoppers are flocking back to theatre for stories that stitch history to the present , and Pride’s new musical at the National Theatre does exactly that. It revives Matthew Warchus’s beloved 2014 film with warm performances, stirring songs, and a timely reminder about solidarity between queer communities and workers.

Essential Takeaways

  • Faithful reinvention: The musical, directed by Matthew Warchus, honours the film’s heart while adding fresh songs and stagecraft.
  • Standout casting: Samuel Barnett’s Jonathan anchors the show; an ensemble of less-famous but well-cast actors brings new textures.
  • Emotional tone: The production blends humour and tenderness, with moments that feel both joyous and quietly raw.
  • Historic resonance: The story reconnects 1984 London’s LGBT activism and miners’ strike to today’s politics and community alliances.
  • Accessible staging: Dorfman’s intimate space gives the piece a warm, lived-in atmosphere , close enough you can hear the laughter.

Why this stage version feels like a win

If you loved the film, you’ll relax into the musical quickly , the director is the same and that continuity matters. According to The Guardian, the original 2014 picture struck a rare balance of humour and heart, and the show keeps that tonal mix, while the live music amplifies the feeling of communal celebration. The Dorfman Theatre’s smaller, cozier space makes the songs land with a warm, almost kitchen-table intimacy; you can see the actors’ faces, and that makes the stakes feel immediate. For anyone who remembers 1984 or wants to feel connected to recent histories, the production feels lovingly stitched to its roots.

How the show reframes the politics with song

This adaptation doesn’t domesticate the political edge; it foregrounds solidarity. The core story , gay activists, led by Mark Ashton, raising funds for striking Welsh miners , remains central, and the musical underscores how cross-community alliances can be both messy and life-saving. Reviews of the film and background reporting on the real activists show this was never simply a feel-good anecdote: it was active, risky, and principled. On stage, the songs give characters space to argue, reconcile, and celebrate together, which helps audiences appreciate the effort solidarity requires and why it still matters now.

Performances to watch and what they bring

Samuel Barnett’s Jonathan is a focal point , he brings a quietly fierce vulnerability that holds the show together. The ensemble, while not full of household names, delivers an energetic, textured group performance that often outshines star power. Critics have noted that lesser-known casts can bring a welcome directness to familiar stories, and here that truth is audible: a chorus of voices feels like a genuine community rather than celebrity spectacle. If you’re deciding whether to book tickets, look out for moments when the cast shifts from comic repartee to full-voiced singing , those are the show’s emotional hooks.

Practical tips for theatre-goers

  • Book early: press notices are warm and transfers to the West End or Broadway could follow, so good seats may go fast.
  • Choose a matinee if you want a slightly calmer crowd and clearer sightlines in the Dorfman.
  • Expect music and banter: the show mixes upbeat numbers with quieter scenes, so bring tissues and a sense of humour.
  • If you can, pair the visit with the National’s “Queer Britain” photo exhibit on the Lyttleton’s second floor , it deepens the historical context.

What this production signals for theatre and community

Pride’s transfer from screen to stage is a reminder that theatre still does what cinema can’t always manage: live, communal repair work. The piece suggests a model for how regional and national theatres can retell recent history in ways that are emotionally generous and politically resonant. Given continued examples of unions supporting LGBTQ events, the show’s message about long-lasting alliances feels less nostalgic and more instructive. Whether the National mounts a West End run or regional tour, this musical can act as a bridge , between generations, between communities, and between joy and grief.

It’s a small cultural shift that can make solidarity feel celebratory again.

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