Why you need to see Pride - The Musical at the National Theatre this summer.
In 2014, a film called Pride came out in cinemas. It told audiences the story of a little-known moment in British history: during the 1984 miners’ strike, a group of lesbian and gay activists decided to raise funds for striking miners in South Wales when they recognised a shared struggle against oppression, and a remarkable bond between unlikely friends was forged.
The film, starring stars of the stage and screen such as Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Andrew Scott, and more, went on to win a BAFTA. Now, in 2026, the film’s director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford have reunited to bring this real-life story of solidarity to the stage as a major new original musical, with music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde. Ahead of its run at the National Theatre, which kicks off in June, what did we think of the preview sold-out preview in Cardiff earlier this year?
The first thing to note is the amazing musical score, inspired by protest anthems, pop, rock, disco and the Welsh choral tradition. The songs range from powerful ensemble pieces that give you goosebumps, to narrative-driven pieces that feel like dialogue through song, to a sparkling but surprisingly emotional cabaret-style number that opens the second act. One particular highlight is a song sung almost entirely in Welsh, highlighting how beautiful this little-spoken but mighty language can sound on a big stage, sung by a whole ensemble. Hearing it at the National is sure to be an emotional experience for so many, especially as part of a musical that highlights Wales and a small part of its diverse cultural history.
A video clip of the cast of PRIDE singing You Stood By Me.
Often, even in an ensemble show, there are standout performances from particular actors—but in this, every actor equally shines and plays their own vital part in the development of the story. First, there’s the initial group of LGBTQ+ misfits who band together at Gay’s the Word bookshop in London to form their own rebellion against the police. When they realise the police’s attention is on the miners’ strike instead, they decide to attempt an allegiance with the miners and form a new group called Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, travelling to the Dulais Valley in South Wales to garner their support. This is when we’re introduced to the second main group of characters. The people of Dulais add so much more depth and laugh-out-loud humour to the story, which eventually culminates in four of the Welsh women exploring the London gay scene in a song which easily becomes one of the biggest highlights of the entire show, and turns people’s tears from a previously highly emotional moment to ones of pure laughter and joy.
Ultimately, the cast is able to shine the way they do due to the book, which is incredibly moving and powerfully written. It brought tears to the eyes of many audience members several times, particularly at a speech given by one of the LGSM founding members Jonathan in which he shouts about how he refuses to tone down his identity for the sake of others, as well as a point in the story where they begin to realise they might lose friends due to AIDS. The darker parts of history are not forgotten about or sugarcoated, but it’s done so in a way that doesn’t diminish the joy of the occasion that saw so many people — marginalised LGBTQ+ people as well as working class miners — raise money and win their right to not be harassed by the authorities.
Pride is two and a half hours of joy, laughter and fun, perfectly blended with a retelling of an important time in history and a tale of great cultural significance. Whether it’s a story you’ve only heard of from watching the 2014 film, a time you lived through yourself, or one you’re hearing about for the first time now, this showwill have audience members of all ages laughing, crying, and (maybe literally?) coming out feeling empowered.
Pride - The Musical plays at the National Theatre from 11 June - 12 September 2026.
