The musical Pride at the National Theatre has become the hottest ticket in London this summer, booked solid until its run ends in September and expected to transfer to the West End. Adapted from the 2014 film, which achieved only modest commercial success, the stage production has struck a chord with audiences in a fractious, divided world, according to Guardian columnist Emma Brockes.
A timely revival of solidarity
Brockes, who has not seen the show due to ticket scarcity, revisited the film amid a news cycle where issues around sexuality and gay rights have resurfaced. The story, set during the 1984 miners' strike, follows the unlikely alliance between London's lesbian and gay community and striking miners in a Welsh town. Led by Mark Ashton, a young activist from County Antrim, the group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) forged a bond that transcended differences.
While the film was critically acclaimed, it did not achieve the commercial breakthrough of Billy Elliot. However, the musical's current success suggests a shift in cultural appetite. Brockes notes that other gay-themed shows like Oh, Mary! and Operation Mincemeat are also thriving, but Pride offers a politically charged narrative rather than purely tonal representation.
Why now?
The show's resonance may stem from its message of solidarity in an era of political division. Brockes highlights a key line from the film: “It’s more than money, it’s friendship,” spoken by Paddy Considine's character, miner Dai Donovan, who was the first to accept help from the “perverts,” as the press called them. The Dorfman theatre's 450-seat capacity has allowed word-of-mouth to build without the pressure of filling a larger venue. Additionally, repeat attendance by LGBTQ+ audiences has boosted demand.
Brockes describes the experience as both shocking and moving, reminding audiences of past struggles while demonstrating what can be achieved through unity. The musical, starring Andrew Scott, Dominic West, Jessica Gunning, and Ben Schnetzer, with memorable lines like “Give it to the lesbians, they love a banner,” offers a hopeful counterpoint to contemporary political tensions.
