Pride ★★★★★ National Theatre | Jun 11 - Sep 12, 2026


Two defining political crises coincided in Britain during the mid-1980s. Welsh coal miners went on strike in the face of Margaret Thatcher's determination to break the power of the trade unions, while the AIDS epidemic devastated the gay community. This new musical, based on the remarkable true story that inspired the acclaimed 2014 film, recounts the unlikely alliance forged between striking miners and gay and lesbian activists during that turbulent period. The miners' strike may have ended in defeat and AIDS claimed countless lives, but the story affirms the power of ordinary people to overcome prejudice and find common ground despite profound differences. It is ultimately a celebration of human decency, compassion and solidarity. Although Mark Ashton founded Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, the musical wisely resists making him its sole focus. Instead, it explores how an extraordinary act of collective solidarity transformed the lives of everyone involved, both in the Welsh mining community and among the activists themselves. The emphasis is not on a single hero but on the enduring power of common action. The first act introduces a large ensemble of characters, each with an interesting backstory. While this breadth reflects the communal nature of the piece, it also means that some individuals remain somewhat lightly sketched rather than being fully developed. Even so, the piece gathers momentum through some exhilarating musical numbers, such as a joyous disco sequence, before reaching an emotional high point with Sarah Hugh's deeply moving solo as the miner's wife, Siân. If the first act lays the foundations, however, the second is where the musical truly comes into its own. As the personal stories deepen, the score becomes increasingly powerful. Samuel Barnett is superb as drama student Jonathan, and the production number "You Might As Well Live" is an ironic delight. "Bread and Roses" emerges as the show's stirring anthem, comparable in emotional impact to those great ensemble moments of Les Misérables, while the haunting "Light Perpetual", a reflection on the AIDS crisis, provides one of the evening's most poignant moments. By the conclusion, Pride has become far more than a nostalgic retelling of a well-known story. It is an important reminder that acts of solidarity can transcend politics, prejudice and circumstance. At a time when divisions often seem insurmountable, its message of compassion and shared humanity feels every bit as urgent as it did forty years ago.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Manuel Harlan

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: London SE1 9PX, UK

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