Cast announced for UK tour of The Shawshank Redemption

Casting has been announced for the UK tour of screen-to-stage production The Shawshank Redemption, which opens at the Theatre Royal, Windsor in August.

Ian Kelsey will star as Andy Dufresne, the role created on screen by Tim Robbins. Kelsey, who recently appeared in Doctors, has acting credits including Casualty and Chicago.

He'll be joined by Patrick Robinson, who will play Ellis 'Red' Redding. Robinson's television credits include Casualty and The Bill with his stage credits including Romeo and Juliet (RSC) and Festen (Almeida).

WhatsOnStage award-winner David Esbjornson is to direct the show.

Based on Stephen King's 1982 novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the play examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the bars of a maximum security facility.

The Shawshank Redemption will open on 18 August 2015 at the Theatre Royal in Windsor, before touring to Leeds, Brighton, Richmond, Bath, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Norwich, Cheltenham, Woking, Milton Keynes and Cardiff.

Presented by Bill Kenwright, the production is adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, with design by Gary McCann and lighting by Chris Davey.

Further casting is to be announced.