Stranger than fiction is often used to describe a real-life event that is difficult to believe. For example, a group of young, trendy gays and lesbians raising money to support a small traditional Welsh mining village involved in a bitter and hard-fought strike. But it did happen, and then in 2014 made into a highly successful film. Fast forward twelve years, and now the story is not only a play but a musical as Pride gets its premiere at the National Theatre.
It’s 1984, across the UK, miners are on strike. They believe that under NUM General Secretary Arthur Scargill, they have the power not only to protect their pits and livelihood but also bring down the Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher as they had in the 1970s. However, the government is having none of this and is using every resource at its disposal to break the miners.
Miles from the nearest coalfield, it’s London Pride Day and 24-year-old gay activist Mark (Jhon Lumsden) is listening to the radio news and has a revelation. Hated and persecuted by the government, the police and – thanks to a very right-wing press – the MSM, Mark realises that the miners and the gays have much in common. In his impetuous way, he decides that he and his friends should do a bucket collection for the miners when on the march. This proves successful, and so Mark gathers his friends together in the shop of Gethin (Chris Jenkins) and Jonathan (Samuel Barnett) to talk about his newly formed plans to support the miners. Despite some push-back, Mark, along with Gethin, Jonathan, Mike (Matthew Durkan), Steph (Courtney Stapleton), Reggie (Jordan Shaw) and newly out ‘Bromley’ (Lewis Cornay) form Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, or LGSM.
Far away in Onllwyn, a small mining village in Wales, the striking miners are suffering. Supported by The Welfare under its Chair, Hefina Headon (Kirsty Malpass). They hear about the LGSM, who, having received nothing from NUM HQ, have decided to support a village themselves. Hefina is keen to take the support and get LGSM to visit, a move endorsed by members Siân James (Sarah Pugh) and Dai Donovan (Matthew Woodyatt), but bitterly opposed by Maureen Barry (Caroline Sheen). The motion is carried, and LGSM accepts the invitation, heads to Wales, and starts the most unlikely friendship of all. One built on solidarity which ignores the differences of the groups and concentrates on what they have in common.
Sometimes you instinctively know that a show is going to be a hit, and Pride is just such a production. Less than a minute into the first song, I knew I was going to love this show, and I was right. The show has a fine pedigree with Pride book and lyrics by Stephen Beresford, music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen, and DJ Walde. More importantly, it has been developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, who directed the original 2014 film version and is therefore very familiar with the source material. Between them and with Choreographer Lizzi Gee, they have translated Pride from screen to stage superbly. There is nothing to fault with the show. Both the miners and LGSM are seeing their communities being damaged irreparably, but they shoulder on, helping each other to get through the trauma. The set – two-level scaffold and gantry structure (designed by Bunny Christie) – is used flexibly to portray everything from the Miners Welfare, The bookshop ‘Gays the Word,’ various Soho gay spots and the Electric Ballroom in Camden. Christie designed the costumes as well and as someone in his prime in the 1980’s, I can attest to how realistic they were.
The cast are phenomenal. The ensemble plays so many different roles it feels like the cast is much bigger than it is. Of the leads, Jhon Lumsden is perfect as Mark, a character that draws you in and irritates you so much, but who you remain loyal to no matter what he does. Samuel Barnett as Jonathan is a truly fabulous character who, in the opening to the second act, absolutely steals the show with a wonderful song about choosing life despite his HIV diagnosis. Also, must mention Lewis Cornay as ‘Bromley’, a young lad who has just come out to himself and discovered a world he never knew existed, where he is free to be who he is and is accepted by those around him. So different from his home life with his rather conservative parents. I’ve picked these three out as they were my favourites in the show, but honestly, everyone works so hard and delivers a full 100% or, in Alan Sugar’s world 110% making the performance truly awesome.
Whether you are a fan of the film or have never seen it, I guarantee that you will love Pride. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you will be enchanted by what you are seeing on stage. I do have two requests for the producers, though. No 1, let’s get a cast album out there, and No 2, sort out a West End transfer ASAP. Everyone should get the opportunity to see this amazing show.
Review by Terry Eastham
Summer 1984. The country is in turmoil. With Thatcher battling to dismantle the coal industry, and a lethal pandemic on the rise, 24-year-old activist Mark Ashton founds an unlikely new alliance with the pit communities of South Wales: Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Funny, fierce and filled with joy, what follows is the incredible true story of two disparate communities joining forces – and making history.
CAST in alphabetical order
Samuel Barnett – Jonathan
Lewis Cornay – Bromley
Matthew Durkan – Mike
Gillian Elisa – Gwen
Daniel Forrester – Ensemble / Understudy Bromley/Mark
Alyn Hawke – Swing / Understudy Gethin/Reggie
Robin Hayward – Martin
Chris Jenkins – Gethin / Understudy Jonathan/Mike
Darren Lawrence – Cliff
Jhon Lumsden – Mark
Kirsty Malpass – Hefina
Madeleine Morgan – Ensemble / Understudy Steph/Margaret
Catherine Morris – Ensemble / Understudy Gwen/Hefina
Sarah Pugh – Siân
Jordan Shaw – Reggie
Caroline Sheen – Maureen
Helen Siveter – Off-Stage Swing / Assistant Choreographer
Courtney Stapleton – Steph
Graham Vick – Ensemble / Understudy Martin/Cliff/Dai
Mared Williams – Margaret / Understudy Siân/Maureen
Matthew Woodyatt – Dai
ARTISTIC TEAM
Developed and Directed by Matthew Warchus
Stephen Beresford – Book and Lyrics
Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde – Music
Set and Costume Designer – Bunny Christie
Lizzie Gee – Choreographer
Christopher Nightingale and Tom Kelly – Orchestrations
Hugh Vanstone – Lighting Designer
Bobby Aitken – Sound Designer
Jo Cichonska – Music Director
Campbell Young Associates – Wig, Hair and Make-Up Designer
David Grindrod CDG CSA – Casting Director
Nick Trumble – Dialect Coach
Charlie Hughes D’Aeth – Voice Coach
Jamie Manton – Associate Director
PRIDE
National Theatre
11 June to 12 September 2026
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