Back in the 80’s. way before the likes of the strong feisty women characters of Sex in the City and Desperate Housewives, there lived a bored housewife by the name of Shirley Valentine.
At the age of 42, her children have left home, she cooks egg and chips for a husband who barely knows she exists (except when she feeds his steak to a dog), and talks to the wall. Being 42 in the 80’s, seemed to be the equivalent of being 60 plus in 2017. Other than that, the show, written by Willy Russell, doesn’t show much sign of ageing, thanks to the fact that many women still identify with character. If the largely female audience is anything to go by, my bet is that there will be a stampede at the travel agents in the morning as we all chase a dream and a better life, for the best years it appears are over for the put-upon housewife…..until she discovers a renewed zest for life in Greece.
As many females watch Bridget Jones and think ‘that could be me’, the same can be said for Shirley Valentine. Many can identify with being trapped in a situation or a life which stifles their very identify. It is this familiarity though which makes the play a success and still as relevant as ever some 30 years after it was originally written, that and of course the huge talent of Jodie Prenger, who carries this one woman show triumphantly.
When Shirley’s friend offers to take her to Greece for a fortnight, She jumps at the chance. She knows her husband Joe will be furious, but this her chance to be herself again. The woman she was before she was just wife and mother. Prenger has come a long way since winning the role of Nancy in the West End Production of Oliver through the BBC television series ‘I’d Do Anything’ back in 2009. This tour celebrates the 30th anniversary revival of the show which was turned into a film starring Pauline Collins. The stage version however is told through Shirley’s eyes. We never actually see her friend, nor her husband Joe, yet we sense his anger through the immense talent of Prengers portrayal. The same goes for Costa, the Greek bar owner she meets, her Christopher Columbus who helps her explore not only her body, but also her mind. We never see him, but we know how he makes her feel. She doesn’t fall in love with him, but instead, learns to love herself once more.
The second act transports Shirley from her kitchen to Greece, and with it a sense of calmness and slowing in pace and delivery. Under the direction of Glen Walford we sense the change in Shirley as the character blossoms.
Prenger has a gift for physical comedy and storytelling. How she remembers so many lines in this one woman show, and still makes it look like fun is a feat in itself. The audience are transfixed from the off and Prenger keeps them with her all the way from Liverpool to the shores of sunny Greece, not only in miles, but also on Shirley’s own personal journey.
Shirley Valentine runs at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham until 27th May.
trch.co.uk/whats-on/shirley-valentine/
By Tanya Louise
Editor
@tanyalouise_