Pride The Musical
In 2014 the film Pride hit our screens to great acclaim and drew the public attention to the true story of how a group of Lesbian and Gay activists worked together to support the striking miners in 1984.
Now, in 2026, director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford have teamed up to rework the piece this time as a Musical. And it really is a show they can be proud of!
Performed on a simple bridge-set the show doesn’t rely of flashy scene changes – it doesn't need to as its focus is on great story telling, well-crafted songs, well developed characterizations and some beautiful harmonies in the Welsh valleys.
The production team have managed to do what many other musical theatre writers fail to do - They offer a mix of great songs, shared across the whole ensemble. Characters with passion and heart. A variety of musical styles. All working together to share a story that has layers, poignant moments and laugh out loud comedy too.
The cast is made up of some brilliant performers, this being a National Theatre production the ensemble is not skimped on, and in most parts is age appropriate. The character of Gwen, a Welsh nan, played by Gillian Elisa deserves a special mention, I challenge anyone to watch this show and not fall in love with her and Gwen.
The story is told by Mattew Durhan (Mike) who brings us all into his confidence by constantly breaking the fourth wall. He soon introduces to us the group of friends thrown together by their sexuality and the feeling the world of the 1980’s is against them! (Which it probably was). Their self-appointed leader Mark (played by Jhon Lumsden) decides that solidarity with another oppressed group is the way forward. With the Miners out on strike and Thatcher’s government against them – Mark sees the miners as the perfect group to ally with. Not that the miners union want to be aligned with the Lesbians and Gays - so the queer gang go direct to a group of miners in the valleys.
But enough of the narrative. You don’t need to know this. What you need to know is someone who can get you a ticket for this sold-out run, because this is by far the best show I have seen in London this year! This is a show that the National Theatre should be proud of and surely must get a West End transfer.
This show was reviewed on Thursday 25th June 2026 at the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, London.
Review written by Paul Wood
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