Bread and Roses. Pride, The Musical (review)
One would think that miners and homosexuals couldn’t be further apart. Nothing in common. And yet.
1984. Summer. Miners’ strikes are tearing through country and country is indeed torn. Mark Ashton, a young gay rights activist decides to form a support group to help in their peril. Struggling community for struggling community. Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners fate soon bounds them forever with a pit village in South Wales. Two threatened groups join forces in a fight for their lives and soon it turns out that they have more in common than one could ever dream of as they march for bread and roses[1]
Bonkers, bigger than life feverish dream… that turns into reality in the most spectacular way.
An amazing story, that isn’t just a glorified fiction or improbable odyssey, but an epic, true journey of two rejected, slandered and persecuted groups that found each other and by putting their differences aside, seeing beyond the first [wrong] impressions they forged a bond and made history. A truly PROUD chapter in both Welsh and Lesbian and Gay history.
The director Matthew Warchus and the writer Stephen Beresford of the original film unite to bring this extraordinary musical to life filled with songs inspired by punk rock, pop, disco and Welsh choral tradition. And the cast is delivering a performance with fervour, brilliance and flamboyant joy (Samuel Barnett’s Jonathan is the epitome, especially of the latter and boy, how he dazzles). They bring the audience to tears just to make everyone laugh seconds later. The songs they perform touch hearts, bring so much reflection one can barely breath. Songs sang so mightily that bring the chills (the rendition of ‘Bread and Roses’). There spirit of Kushner's 'Angels in America' hovers over this musical approvingly. The anguished soul of [Russel T. Davies'] 'It's a Sin' reveals itself in certain moments. But make no mistake: 'Pride' stands tall and proud on its own feet. Rich, daring, sparkling and strong with excellent performance of the company.
It’s an unforgettable event, fabulous, poignant, warming hearts and watering the eyes of the audience. Bittersweet, beautiful, filled with heartache, disappointment and new-found hope. An inspiring true story about what happens when one looks past the surface and prejudice and discovers a whole new and wonderful world and sense of belonging.
Pride is presented by P&P Productions with the National Theatre
in association with Pathé, Calamity Films and David Binder Productions
Book and lyrics by Stephen Beresford
Music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde
Developed and directed by Matthew Warchus
Based on the Pathé film
Cast: Samuel Barnett, Lewis Cornay, Matthew Durkan, Robin Hayward, Chris Jenkins, Darren Lawrence, Jhon Lumsden, Kirsty Malpass, Sarah Pugh, Jordan Shaw, Courtney Stapleton, Caroline Sheen, Mared Williams, Matthew Woodyatt, Madeleine Morgan, Catherine Morris, Graham Vick
Previews 31 Mar - 18 Apr 2026 in Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
[1] ‘Bread and Roses’, a political slogan, poem and a song associated with women suffrage movement, symbolises a need for both economic survival (bread) and dignified quality of life (roses). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Roseshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Roses
Photo: National Theatre - https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/45755-pride
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