This week, the first cast members for the 2027 Australian premiere of The Shawshank Redemption were announced, with David Berry and Bert LaBonté taking on the iconic roles of Andy Dufresne and ‘Red’ Redding. They join Rodger Corser as The Warden.
One of the most popular and enduring films of all time, and based on Stephen King’s novella, The Shawshank Redemption tells a story of hope, friendship and the resilience of the human spirit.
Wrongly convicted of the brutal murders of his wife and her lover, Andy Dufresne is sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Shawshank prison. As he navigates the harsh realities of incarceration, he forms an unlikely friendship with fellow inmate Red, discovering that even in the darkest of places, hope can endure.
Ahead of the remaining cast announcement, The Scoop sat down with David and Bert for an extended chat. Although they haven’t known each other for long, the pair share an easy chemistry as they discuss their favourite comfort films, the best directorial advice they’ve received and why they believe this enduring story is still relevant. Read the full interview below.
Firstly, congratulations on your roles. What was your reaction when you found out you’d be playing Andy and Red?
David: A mixture of feelings. It’s a little bit terrifying, and it’s also really exciting because these characters are so beloved.
Bert: So beloved. And you sort of go, “Oh yes, absolutely.” But then you’re like, “Oh, hang on a minute..”
David: …What have I agreed to?
Bert: What have I agreed to. No, look, predominantly super excited that we’re going to bring these characters to life, and David’s an extraordinary actor, so it’s lovely to be able to play opposite him.
David: Oh, stop.
Bert: Okay, I will.
The relationship between Andy and Red is the emotional centre of the play. What do you do in rehearsals to build that connection between your characters?
David: Well, we haven’t figured it out yet, but we’ve just added each other on Instagram, so we’ve taken the first big step. (Laughs)
Bert: I think it’s just one of those things where you kind of cross fingers. We’ve never worked together before, but we hit it off immediately when we met.
The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most beloved films of all time, and the themes continue to feel so relevant today. Why do you think it is such an important story to tell in 2027?
David: It’s had longevity because the messages in it have such power and universality of hope and friendship and resilience. And of course it’s in the title: redemption. These are things that we all cling to in dark times and great times. They’re fundamental to what it means to be human. It really does a great job of tapping into that.
Bert: Shawshank‘s one of those films, like your comfortable jumper films. You like to put it on every now and again just to bring you back to a place that is familiar and makes you feel certain things. That’s what this story is. It’s an incredible text as well. The writing is so good, and the characters are so rich and defined. Even the small characters. It’s such an ensemble piece.
The world’s in an interesting place at the moment. It’s in a particularly precarious place. And I think stories about friendship and hope and resilience are really important right now. That’s what people are looking for.
David: It’s funny. Even though I came to the movie later, and a lot of people came to it later, contemporary audiences are still discovering it now. Even at the time when people were watching it, it had a sense of nostalgia or warmth to it. And I don’t know what it is about the film, but it just feels immediately familiar, like that welcoming hug. It just gives you that sense of comfort and hope.
Do you have a warm jumper film that you both turn to?
Bert: Well, Shawshank is one of them. I’ve seen it way too many times to admit, because you never think you’re going to be playing Red. Another warm jumper film?
David: Mine might surprise you.
Bert: Mine will definitely surprise you. Mine’s…
David: Say it.
Bert: I could get cancelled for this. Mine’s Love Actually.
David: How are you going to get cancelled for that?
Bert: Because people hate it. People have a real problem with it.
David: Now I feel like I’m stepping out on the ledge when I say mine.
Bert: What’s yours?
David: Predator.
(Everyone laughs)
David: I don’t know what that says about my psychology.
Bert: You would have been a kid when that came out.
David: Don’t question it.
Bert: A little kid.
Rodger Corser has been announced as the Warden. What are you looking forward to about joining him in this world, and what does the dynamic between the three of you bring to the story?
Bert: It’ll be exciting to work with Rodger. I’ve known him for a long time; I think it’s fantastic casting. He puts those glasses on, and he just looks like the role.
David: I remember we had just briefly met each other, and then he put the glasses on. You could see the Warden very easily. And *beep* I could swear here, because we all know what function the Warden plays in the show. But I’d say that Roger’s not been cast to type in any way. I’m so excited to see what he’s going to bring to the role.
David Esbjornson is directing you in this run. What is the best advice you’ve been given from a director previously? Something that you are going to bring to your preparation?
Bert: Mine was: the truth can’t lose. If you believe what you’re saying, you’ll be fine. I remember it was the simplest direction I was ever given, and I utilise it a lot when I’m directing. Truth is your best friend. And on a play like this, I think that’s absolutely real. That’s what’s so rich about the film. These characters are so real. You know who they are without any introduction. There’s very little… What’s the word I’m looking for, David?
David: Is it Predator?
Bert: There’s very little build-up to who they are. You just know who they are.
David: Preamble.
Bert: Preamble. Thanks. That wasn’t the word, but it’ll do. (Laughs)
David: I remember I was struggling one time with a particular thing that a character had to do, and I was being very closed-minded, saying I don’t think my character would do that. The director told me, “Look, you might think that, but characters can do anything.”
And something about that really stuck with me. There’s endless possibility, endless choices that you can make. Your first choice, or the one you’re set on, isn’t always the correct one. A good director will help you find choices and enhance your performance. They’re the extra eye, the extra ingredient that can help you find something that is beyond yourself.
Do you have any advice for young people who are trying to do the thing that you’re doing? Because it’s a tough industry.
Bert: It is a tough industry. My advice. I’m 32 years deep now, and I always say this to young people, and I’ve done a bit of teaching as well. You’ve got to have a crack for a period of time. Don’t give yourself a timeline, but both feet have to be in. A lot of young people come into this industry now, and they’re like, I’m also studying this. If you’ve got one foot in another thing, that’s one foot out the door. You’re probably not going to commit to this, and that’s okay. There’s no shame in that.
But if you’re going to have a go at this industry, you have to be all in for the time you give yourself. And that’s a tough period. Because you may be living just above the poverty line for a moment. You may be doing independent stuff and not getting paid what you deserve. But if you push hard enough, that wall will break, and you will find out what that is. Or you’ll discover this isn’t for you. But at least you had a go.
David: I think young people are inundated with trying to get practical advice from either their parents or other actors. At the end of the day, no one really knows how they made it work. You just have to maintain a curiosity and see where it takes you. I often reflect on this because I do some teaching too, and I think the students that will have the most success are the ones that remain curious.
When I started out, I would just get together with mates, and we wanted to sing. So we started busking at the local shopping centre, and that led to talent quests. Which led to being more comfortable in front of an audience. There was no, well, do this, and then this leads to that. Because no one can plot that out for you. It was just me following a curiosity, to the point where I was like, “Oh, how did I end up here? Oh, wow! Isn’t that a surprise?”
Bert: I was in a band for nine years and doing cover gigs every weekend, and that was my outlet. Even though I wasn’t in the theatre or doing plays or TV, I was performing every weekend. And I think it’s what kept me in there because I just felt like I was still doing something in the space.
What do you think has made your career sustainable? What have you done for yourself that has made you feel like you can keep doing the uphill climb, especially in the early days?
Bert: This is completely personal. But you’ve got to have interests outside of this. You can’t go to bed with this, or you’ll go crazy. The words I’m about to say are wrong, but I cared a bit less. Which, in turn, helped me focus when I was actually at the job. Whereas if you do the job and then you go home and you’re still doing the job, it’s not healthy. And it shows in your work and in your personality when you get into a room for an audition, or you’re in a cast, and it’s all about the job. You’ve got to have stuff outside just to keep yourself sane.
David: Just to build on that, I owe a lot of my career to the support that I’ve had through my parents, through other people that are outside of my acting life, my partner’s family. I don’t think it’s possible to be in this industry and think that you can just lone-wolf it. You are reliant on people who believe in you, who have really backed you, and full credit to them. I couldn’t take all the credit for myself.
Everyone struggles at times in this industry, and you need someone to help support you. And that’s usually the people who are closest to you: your family and loved ones. Whether its friends or a community, you need to find people who are going to love and support you.
David Berry and Bert LaBonté star inThe Shawshank Redemption which opens 2 January at the Theatre Royal Sydney. It then embarks on a national tour. See full dates below.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.shawshanklive.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/shawshanklive/
Hero image photo credit: Daniel Boud
2027 Australian Tour:
Sydney from 2 January, Theatre Royal
Melbourne from 4 February, Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
Perth from 12 March, Regal Theatre
Adelaide from 1 April, Her Majesty’s Theatre
Other venues still to be announced.
Adapted for the stage by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, based on the novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King.
Directed by David Esbjornson. Produced by Impresario Productions, by arrangement with Bill Kenwright Limited. By arrangement with Knight Hall Agency Ltd in association with Paradigm Talent Agency.
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