Pride
Audio described performances: 18th July 2026 at 2pm, 7th August 2026 at 7.30pm
Captioned performances: 23rd July 2026 at 7.30pm, 13th August 2026 at 7.30pm, 5th September 2026 at 2pm
Relaxed performance: 4th August 2026 at 7.30pm
The Miners’ Strike, summer 1984. The Gay and Lesbian community lend its support to a village in South Wales.
A new musical, based on the film from Matthew Warchus and Stephen Beresford.
(seen at the afternoon preview performance on 20th June 2026)
An era the monkey lived through, and it found the Stephen Beresford’s lyric recalling how the mid-1980s treated H.I.V. sufferers sob-inducing; the emotional high-point of this chaotic, sporadically brilliant new musical.
Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde deliver a score that does not always mesh aurally, while Beresford’s book needs condensing - particularly of repetition in the first 40 minutes. Perhaps they could also correct (for liturgy reasons), the idea of Jewish person meeting St Peter - but that’s a minor point.
Director Matthew Warchus could also flip the order of some sequences near the start, to bring us less confusingly into the story.
Regular musical theatregoers may spot a “Les Misérables” pattern here. Just like the origins of that show – which opened only a year or two after this is set – what we are seeing at the Dorfman right now is a chrysalis.
A hard case contains the certainty of a storming piece of eternal theatre. Inside, there is DNA re-arranging itself to emerge as just that.
For the time being, the monkey is happy to ride out the faults. It has long held the rule of waiting until the end of the show before judging, as often the final scene (even final line) causes the whole to come into dazzling focus.
That happens here, and the monkey defies anyone not to choke up in the last 10 minutes.
Before that, there are some good jokes wrapped in that spiky defensiveness our LGBT+ community must sadly still adopt. Back then, it was almost their only weapon as laws were not only inadequate but mostly non-existent. Still are, at times.
If you are old enough to remember, you know. For the young people around the monkey, one power of the show is its education value. And it leaves them stunned and angry.
Matthew Durkan is Mike, Gay activist on a mission. He wins us, and the conservative Welsh village he hopes to help through the strike.
Samuel Barnett’s turn as co-bookshop owner Jonathan is worth heading back early from the interval to catch. Likewise partner Gethin (Chris Jenkins) has a tear-inducing moment he plays to the full.
As Bromley (aka Joe), Lewis Cornay finds himself and plays out the antithesis of Gethin’s story. By contrast, Jordan Shaw as Reggie is out, proud and hilarious.
In Wales, Gillian Elisa turns in fine work. Open-mindedly bonding with Steph (Madeleine Morgan – in for absent Courtney Stapleton), Morgan proves a riot of timing with a strong voice.
On a visit to the capital, Sarah Pugh and Mared Williams take London by storm as Sion and Margaret, alongside playing key dramatic roles in major musical numbers.
Lizzi Gee’s choreography is somewhat thrown by the different composers’ musical styles, so that there is a little less cohesion in form for each dance break. Gee still manages to find identities for both groups, and watching them merge is a joy.
Bunny Christie captures the fashion looks of the 1980s, and ingeniously uses a simple scaffolding set with miners’ lift doors and club bar hatch at the back to allow plenty of space for movement. A few tables, chairs and banners to give us a sense of the times.
Which is the main point of the entire show. A story of a time of social and political strife, felt on the deepest personal level by a few communities, and mostly ignored and forgotten by the vast majority.
The inspiration which caused the real Mark to bridge the gap between two sets of people betrayed by government and much of the nation is humbling.
This musical, and the film on which it is based are likewise. Imperfectly perfect, this is the start of something potentially huge. And that rather mirrors the progress of Gay rights, now the monkey thinks of it. Another connection in a highly satisfying evening of them.
(standing ovation given)
What can I say, other than perhaps it could have been 10 minutes shorter, what a triumph! It fills the Dorfman stage from the moment you take your seats.
The set looks quite uncomplicated but it certainly is not. Fantastic lighting, superb sound, an amazing group of musicians creating fantastic music. The ensemble cast worked their hearts out and in the process broke most of the audience's hearts. I've never seen my partner cry at the theatre but she did.
Samuel Barnett is absolutely outstanding as Jonathan and will deserve every Best Actor in a Musical award come awards season.
5 stars and a very rare standing ovation!
Taljaard
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.
| Run Time: | 2 hours 30 minutes, including one interval |
| Monday: | 7.30pm |
| Tuesday: | 7.30pm |
| Wednesday: | 2pm, 7.30pm |
| Thursday: | 7.30pm |
| Friday: | 7.30pm |
| Saturday: | 2pm, 7.30pm |
| Sunday: | X |
Notes:
Performances start at 6.30pm on 14th, 21st and 30th July 2026 and 27th August 2026.
Venue Box Office & Current Prices
020 3989 5455Venue box office details and show price charts are available on the Dorfman Theatre, the National Theatre page.
TodayTix
TodayTix. Charge between 10% and 20% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are often available as this is a large global ticketing company with this specific aim.
Availability: Box office discretion
Price: Up to £20 off public / £30, £25, £20 concs
Notes: STANDBY: Unsold seats may be available at up to £20 off the original prices to personal callers at the box office from 1 hour before the performance. This is reduced to a flat rate of £30, £25 or £20 each to Students, Stage Pass, the unwaged, SOLT, NCA and other theatre union members. Valid I.D. is required for this concession. These offers does not apply to “sold out” performances where only returned and ‘producer’s use’ tickets are available. FRIDAY RUSH: Every Friday at 1pm, a number of £10 seats are also released online and by phone for the following week’s performances via the National Theatre’s website www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Address: Lambeth, London, SE1 9PX
Box Office: 020 3989 5455
More details: Seats to buy or avoid at this venue plus travel information and other details can be found on the Dorfman Theatre, the National Theatre page
