Shirley Valentine at the Theatre Royal Nottingham Review
Reviewed by Louise Edwards
Did you know it is almost 30 years since the film Shirley Valentine, the tale of a middle-aged taken for granted wife and mother who takes a holiday to Greece to rediscover herself, was released?
Currently showing at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham is the stage production, by the legend that is Willy Russell, starring the wonderful Jodie Prenger who carries the one woman show astoundingly well.
Going to watch a narrative monologue production is daunting as you wonder how one person can entertain a full theatre for the whole of the evening. However, Prenger does hold it all together with her comedy timing, talent for accents and impressions and true acting professionalism.
The play, directed by Glen Walford, opens with 42 year old Shirley preparing dinner for her husband, Joe. Egg and chips. Real sizzling egg and chips. At the beginning I did think Prenger’s Liverpudlian accent was a bit all over the place but you soon get used to it. Prenger has the audience in stitches with tales of her children, who have now left home, recalling her son starring as Joseph in the school Nativity.
Just as in the film she directs her dialogue to “The Wall”, letting the audience into her life story and the secret plans for a holiday to Greece with her friend Jane, who has bought her the ticket. Her innocence and naivety is captured brilliantly as she talks herself out of the holiday (who will cook his tea?) and then knows in her heart that she has to be brave and accept it is time for her to do something for herself.
The second half of the play sees Shirley transformed! She is no longer confined by those four walls and is on the beach, relaxed and content. She takes on the different characters convincingly – her friend Jane, Jane’s new boyfriend and of course Costas, her Greek love interest, is fantastic.
The lighting, by James Whiteside, creates the atmosphere of a sun soaked beach and along with the set design, courtesy of Amy Yardley, you feel yourself whisked to the Greek island to hear Shirley’s adventure continue with side splitting, light hearted irreverence.
Prenger really puts on an amazing and very impressive performance and, with a fantastic script and great creative and production team behind her, this makes a brilliant night out with culture and fun. Don’t miss it!
Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost from £14 to £29.50 (booking fees may apply).
Shirley Valentine is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham from 22-27 May 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND | 0115 989 5555
