Matthew Woodyatt, Jhon Lumsden, Darren Lawrence, Matthew Durkan, Courtney Stapleton and Jordan Shaw in Pride [Manuel Harlan]

PRIDE
Dorfman, National Theatre
5 stars

Pride, a timely musical based on the 2014 film and inspired by true events, illuminates the unexpected unity between a group of gay London activists and striking Welsh miners. It celebrates solidarity at a time when Margaret Thatcher was attempting to break the picket lines and prejudice against the gay community was compounded by the rise of Aids.

The show opens in summer 1984, and 24-year-old activist Mark Ashton (Jhon Lumsden) rallies a group of friends to support the miners through fundraising.
He’s joined by comrade Mike (Matthew Durkan), wonderfully camp actor Jonathan (Samuel Barnett), witty lesbian Steph (Courtney Stapleton) and newbie Bromley (Lewis Cornay), unsure of his sexuality.

Together they form Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), and meet in Gay’s The Word bookshop run by Jonathan’s partner Gethin (Chris Jenkins).

It takes time to find a willing community and when a village in the Dulais Valley, south Wales, agrees, the group deliver the funds in person.

The women quickly welcome them, including miner’s wife Sian (Sarah Pugh), although some men are wary and Maureen (Caroline Sheen) is openly hostile.

Stephen Beresford, who wrote the film’s screenplay, provides the book for the musical.

It’s set to an uplifting score by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, with songs inspired by protest anthems, pop and the Welsh choral tradition.

Standouts include Barnett’s You Might As Well Live, about Jonathan’s HIV diagnosis, and his disco dance number; Cornay’s rousing rendition of I’m Into Guys; and Pugh’s ballad about Sian’s repressed ambitions (she later becomes an MP).

Pride boasts a first-rate cast and is stunningly staged by Matthew Warchus. Although sold out, the show will surely be back. Unmissable.

Until September 12
nationaltheatre.org.uk