PREVIEWS AT SHERMAN THEATRE IN CARDIFF, AHEAD OF ITS RUN AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE IN LONDON
TICKETS ON GENERAL SALE FROM 10AM FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2025
P&P Productions with the National Theatre, in association with Pathé, today announce dates for Pride, a brand-new musical based on the award-winning film, reuniting director Matthew Warchus (Matilda The Musical) and writer Stephen Beresford (The Last of the Haussmans). This inspiring true story set during the 1984 miners’ strike, when a small group of gay men and lesbians lent their support to a small village in south Wales, will be brought to life in preview performances at Sherman Theatre in Cardiff from 31 March to 18 April 2026, followed by a run at the National Theatre’s Dorfman stage from 11 June to 12 September 2026.
Funny, fierce and full of heart, Pride will have original music by Christopher Nightingale (A Christmas Carol), Josh Cohen (Sylvia) and DJ Walde (Sylvia). This timely and inspiring story of real-life events, where two communities united and set aside their differences, is set to an original score with songs inspired by protest anthems, pop, rock, disco and the Welsh choral tradition.
Casting to be announced.
Summer, 1984. With miners on strike across the country, 24-year-old activist Mark Ashton tries to rally a disparate group of gay men and lesbians into forming a support group for the beleaguered strikers. Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) quickly finds itself entwined with a small pit village in south Wales.
What follows is the remarkable true story of two threatened communities joining forces – and discovering they have more in common than they ever imagined.
Pride has a book and lyrics by Stephen Beresford, music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, developed and directed by Matthew Warchus. The artistic team is completed by set and costume designer Bunny Christie, choreographer Lizzi Gee, lighting designer Hugh Vanstone, sound designer Bobby Aitken, music supervisor Tom Kelly, music director Jo Cichonska and casting director David Grindrod CDG.
Speaking about bringing Pride to the stage, Director Matthew Warchus said:
‘It was one of the greatest joys and privileges of my career to direct the film version of ‘Pride’. I’m so excited to be working alongside Stephen again – together with Chris, Josh and DJ – to bring this hugely emotional and inspiring true story to the stage and let it sing.’
Writer Stephen Beresford said:
‘It was an incredible experience to bring the true story of ‘Pride’ to the screen, and it’s equally thrilling to now bring it to the stage. The soaring, epic nature of this story seemed tailor-made for musical theatre – and to collaborate with Josh and DJ, and reunite with Matthew and Chris has been nothing short of a joy. I can’t wait for audiences to see it.’
Speaking about the world premiere of Pride on the Dorfman stage, National Theatre Director Indhu Rubasingham said:
‘When I heard that Matthew and Stephen were adapting their beloved film ‘Pride’ as a stage musical, I knew instantly that I wanted it to be here at the National Theatre. The Dorfman is an intimate, flexible theatre renowned for new writing and for challenging expectations. The world premiere of ‘Pride’ will push the limits of what is possible in this space, both joyful and disrupting, I can’t wait for audiences to experience its power.’
Preview performances of Pride will run at Sherman Theatre in Cardiff from 31 March to 18 April 2026. These will be followed by a run in the Dorfman theatre from 11 June to 12 September 2026, with a press performance on Thursday 25 June 2026, at 7pm.
Pride is presented by P&P Productions with the National Theatre in association with Pathé
Public booking for Pride opens at 10am on Friday 14 November 2025
For more information visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. For more information on the previews, visit www.shermantheatre.co.uk.
