THE IRISH production of The Shawshank Redemptionwill open in London's West End on September 13th after a successful run in Dublin that was not without controversy.
The show, which previews in London from tomorrow, had its world premiere at the Gaiety in May.
The opening was overshadowed, however, by trade union complaints over the use of unpaid extras by Lane Productions.
While the stage roles were advertised as unpaid “opportunities” for budding young actors, a spokeswoman for the production said yesterday that all actors who appeared on stage were paid.
“There was some controversy at the time but it was resolved. I am sure that everyone who appeared on that stage was paid at the time and I imagine the procedure will be no different for the West End.”
Irish actors union Equity who previously described the decision not to pay extras as “appalling”, was unavailable to comment yesterday. B
ut the spokesperson for the UK branch of Equity said that all actors including extras would have to be paid for the production in London.
“Under the West End agreement updated in January, supernumeraries – actors in a non-speaking, singing, dancing role – must be paid the minimum Equity wage.”
Reg Cathey from the US TV series The Wireand Kevin Anderson– best-known for his role as Julia Roberts's lover in Sleeping with the Enemy– will again take the lead roles in the prison drama, which runs at Wyndham's Theatre.
Lane Productions announced yesterday its award-winning comedy show Stones in his Pocketswould return to Ireland after a five-year run in the West End. It will go on a two-month nationwide tour.