Everything you need to know about 'Pride'

The show is coming to London's Bridge Theatre, following its sold-out National Theatre run, telling the incredible story of two communities joining forces.

Summary

• The musical Pride is coming to the Bridge Theatre
• The show is based on an incredible real-life story about activist group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners
• It features a book by Stephen Beresford, who wrote the screenplay for the 2014 movie
• The cast is led by History Boys star Samuel Barnett

The uplifting musical based on an incredible real-life story is coming to the Bridge Theatre after it had its hit world premiere at the National Theatre. Pride sees two communities becoming unlikely allies when a group of queer activists in London raise money to help striking miners in a small village in Wales.

The story was previously adapted into a heart-warming film and is now a fantastic new British musical, with a book by Stephen Beresford and direction by Matthew Warchus. Learn all about Pride ahead of your trip.

Book Pride tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

What is Pride about?

Pride is set in 1984, and sees activist Mark realise that his community actually has plenty in common with the striking miners who are likewise being attacked by a right-wing government, police, and media. He convinces his friends to form the group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), and they begin fundraising for a small Welsh village.

There are some culture clashes between the two, and not everyone is welcoming, but there is also a heartening solidarity that develops as the fundraising efforts build to an historic concert. This lovely show depicts both the hardships – the bitter cost of the strike, the homophobia suffered by the queer community, and the shadow of AIDS – alongside the kindness, humour, support, and the music.

Who wrote Pride?

Pride features a book and lyrics by playwright and screenwriter Stephen Beresford (The Last of the Haussmans, Fanny and Alexander, upcoming movie Elsinore), who also wrote the screenplay for the 2014 movie version of Pride. The show’s original music is by Christopher Nightingale (A Christmas Carol), John Cohen, and DJ Walde (both Sylvia).

Who are the characters in Pride?

The characters in Pride include:

Bromley: a naïve young student who joins the queer group as he is navigating his coming out

Jonathan: a flamboyant former actor who runs a queer bookshop with his partner and who has AIDS

Mark: the charismatic leader of LGSM and a brilliant campaigner

Mike: Mark’s gruff but loyal friend and second in command

Gethin: Jonathan’s loving partner and a Welshman who left home some years ago

Steph: the “gobby” lesbian who puts the “L” into LGSM

Dai: spokesperson for the miners in the Welsh village that partners with LGSM

Siân: a young wife and mother in the village who discovers a new passion through campaigning

Where is Pride playing?

The show is playing at the Bridge Theatre in Potters Field Park, close to Tower Bridge and London Bridge station. The theatre has a seating capacity of around 900.

When is Pride playing?

Pride is booking from 12 November to 8 May 2027. Performances take place from Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm.

How long is Pride?

The running time of Pride is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

Who is in the cast of Pride?

The Pride cast, reprising their roles from the National Theatre, includes: Olivier and Tony Award nominee Samuel Barnett (The History Boys, His Dark Materials), Matthew Durkan (Outlander, A Christmas Carol), Chris Jenkins (It’s a Sin, Groundhog Day), Darren Lawrence (The Ferryman, Follies), Kirsty Malpass (Matilda the Musical, Come From Away), Sarah Pugh (The Gondoliers, The Corn is Green), Caroline Sheen (Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!), Courtney Stapleton (SIX, Dear Evan Hansen), and Matthew Woodyatt (Fiddler on the Roof, The Cabinet Minister).

Who is in the creative team of Pride?

Pride is directed by the Olivier Award-winning Matthew Warchus, artistic director of The Old Vic, whose numerous hit shows include Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day. It features set and costume design by multi-Olivier-winning Bunny Christie (Company, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and choreography by Lizzi Gee (Groundhog Day, Little Shop of Horrors).

What are some fun facts about Pride?

• Numerous characters in the show are based on amazing real-life people, including Mark Ashton, Mike Jackson, Jonathan Blake, and Siân James. After the events of Pride, James went on to attend university and became a Labour MP.

• The huge fundraising concert in the story is also a real event that took place at the Electric Ballroom in Camden. The group called it Pits and Perverts, reclaiming a slur hurled at them by the Sun newspaper, and it raised over £5,600.

• The original score for Pride, reflecting its story, combines various different styles – from traditional Welsh choral music to pop, rock, disco, and musical theatre.

• The show, fittingly, began performances at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff before coming to London’s National Theatre for its official world premiere.

Book Pride tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Pride (Photos by Manuel Harlan)