Shirley Valentine

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres
Curtain Up: 19:35
Curtain Down: 21:40

Playing until March 29th 2025

*** SHIRLEY. We STILL think you're MARVELLOUS! ***

*** DESPERATE SCOUSE-WIFE ***

*** SHIRLEY VALENTINE STILL HAS LIFE IN HER X40 YEARS ON ***

*** HELEN CARTER’S SHIRLEY IS SCOUSE THROUGH & THROUGH & THE AUDIENCE LAPS UP EVERY MOMENT ***

If MANCHESTER THEATRICAL could watch one play over & over again it would easily be Willy Russell’s almost 40 year old desperate scouse wife - SHIRLEY VALENTINE. We can almost quote this 60,000 word play word for word. It’s a British institution. Well it is on our world.

We took along a self confessed superfan - Hayley Bramall - who managed to grab a quick natter with Willy Russell who obliged with autographs and praise.

Shirley tells the tale of a 42 year old house wife that’s seen her kids grow up & move on. Her husband has become ‘him’ and love has disappeared. There’s still life wanting to burst out from her and she decides to break free - with a gifted trip to Greece. The 14 day adventure is life affirming - actually reminding her of the spark she used to radiate. After finding her mojo again she realises her former dowdy self no longer exists. She’s a phoenix that needs to blossom once more. Would anyone back home really actually miss her if she stayed on holiday forever?!

Playwright Willy Russell is having a bit of a renaissance currently - with Shirley playing in Bolton, Liverpool, a UK Tour of Blood Brothers & Boys From The Black Stuff.

Shirley teaches us all that there’s still life in all of us. It needs to be used. My favourite quote from the show is: ‘We don’t do what we want to do. We do what we have to do & pretend it’s what we want to do.’

With the current global crisis - making the most of your life is a relevant message today as it always has been.

We think Helen’s portrayal breathes new life into the character. She is a great comedic actress that has nowhere to hide in this one woman epic monologue. Hide is the wrong word - Helen is all over the stage embracing her role by portraying all the other people in her life that she tells us about. Lots of accents. Lots of joy. You leave the theatre beaming.

Go see this new production and cheer her on as her journey from desperate scouse-wife to blossoming beauty unfolds before your eyes.

The Everyman Theatre is celebrating 60 AMAZING years - so why not pop along and support this iconic venue. The staff were all incredible tonight & we can’t wait return.

book now via:

www.everymanplayhouse.com/event/willy-russells-shirley-valentine/