Shirley Valentine at the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield Review
Reviewed by Trish Bramhall
I went along to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield last night to see the play Shirley Valentine with the lead role played by the very talented Jodie Prenger.
Shirley is a 42 year old middle-aged housewife who has two children Brian And Milandra ~ both the children have now left home.
The story begins with Shirley at home preparing tea for her husband Joe. Whilst enjoying a glass of wine… Whilst telling you about her life Shirley often `talks to the wall`.
Her husband is expected home shortly and as always expects his tea on the table the moment he walks through the door. This evening he is expecting steak! But instead she has made him chips and eggs… He won’t be happy about that!
You hear stories about her son Brian and the time he was chosen at school to play the part of Joseph in the Nativity play – absolutely hilarious!
The play continues with Shirley telling you about an old friend of hers called Jane, who has asked her to go away to Greece for 2 weeks. How can she possibly go away! Who would look after her husband? She feels trapped in this very ordinary life that she has. And dreams about traveling and drinking wine by the sea whilst watching the sun go down.
After much thought, she decides she will go away especially as the holiday has been paid for. So she secretly starts to buy things for the holiday, and on one occasion she bumps into her snobby next door neighbour Gillian. Gillian thinks the items Shirley is buying is for her daughter Milandra. Oh no Shirley replies Actually they are for ME, I’m going to Greece for 2 weeks with my lover! Sometimes her mouth gets a little carried away. Afterwards Shirley is worried Gillian will tell her husbandry Joe! But she doesn’t.
Her daughter Milandra returns home after a fall out with her flat mate and in no time at all Shirley is back to doing MUM duties and running around after her. This is when Shirley tells her she is going away. Milandra thinks her mother is crazy and can’t believe her mother is going away on what seems to be a Grab A Granny fortnight holiday!
Shirley doesn’t tell her husband she is going away instead she leaves him a note and a fridge full of prepared meals – so funny.
Part 2 of the play is set on the beach. Whilst telling this part of the story Shirley is often talking to `a rock`. She tells you how her friend Jane met someone on the plane and had gone to his villa leaving Shirley to go to the hotel alone.
She had the audience laughing about how she had a couple in the hotel, Douggie and Janette, invite her to join them rather than sit alone for her meals. But when the couple were a bit rude to the staff they must have wished they hadn’t invited her to their table as yet again her mouth got a little carried away!
We were also in stitches when down on the beach she met Costa’s, who she liked to call Christopher Columbus!!
This really is a fantastic one character play. Jodie Prenger plays an amazing part. With her non-stop talking she is so funny. You will laugh so much about R2D2. And also the `F` Plan!!!
At times it made you think of your own life and how we get into a rut and think of others and not ourselves.
I really enjoyed this play and I’m sure you will too.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £19.50 to £32 (booking fees may apply).
Shirley Valentine is at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield from 24-29 April 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 0114 249 6000.
Lyceum Theatre, Norfolk St, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 1DA | 0114 249 6000
