Shirley Valentine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shirley Valentine |
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|---|---|
| Written by | Willy Russell |
| Date of premiere | 1986 |
| Place of premiere | Everyman Theatre Liverpool |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | A holiday in Greece refreshes an unhappy middle aged Liverpool housewife in more ways than one |
| Genre | Comedy Monodrama |
Shirley Valentine is a famous play written by Willy Russell. It's a special kind of play called a monologue, which means only one actor performs it. This actor plays Shirley, a middle-aged woman from Liverpool, England.
The play is all about Shirley's life. It shows how things were for her before she went on a life-changing holiday. Then, it shows how much she changed after her trip abroad.
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What Happens in the Play?
Shirley often feels alone at home. She finds herself talking to the kitchen wall. Her husband is quiet and doesn't talk much with her. She usually cooks him simple meals like egg and chips.
One day, Shirley's best friend offers her a big surprise: a free trip for two to Greece! Shirley decides to go. She leaves a note for her husband on the cupboard door.
When she arrives in Greece, everything feels different. Shirley starts to remember who she used to be. She finds the happiness and excitement she felt was missing from her life in England. She loves Greece so much that she decides not to go home. She says goodbye to her friend at the airport. Then, Shirley goes back to her hotel and asks for a job there. She starts a new adventure!
Where and When Was it Performed?
The play Shirley Valentine was first performed in 1986. It opened at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, England. Noreen Kershaw was the first actress to play Shirley. Glen Walford directed the show.
In 1988, the play moved to London's famous West End. It played at the Vaudeville Theatre. Here, Pauline Collins took on the role of Shirley. Simon Callow was the director.
The play also went to Broadway in New York City. It opened there on February 16, 1989. Pauline Collins starred again, and Simon Callow directed. The show was very popular and ran for 324 performances. Later, other actresses like Ellen Burstyn and Loretta Swit played Shirley in different productions.
More recently, in 2010, the play had a new London revival. Meera Syal played Shirley at the Menier Chocolate Factory. This production was even broadcast on BBC Radio Four. In 2017, a special 30th Anniversary Tour of the play traveled around the UK. Jodie Prenger starred in this tour.
Awards the Play Won
Shirley Valentine won many important awards for its writing and performances:
- 1988 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy
- 1988 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress (for Pauline Collins)
- 1989 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play (for Pauline Collins)
- 1989 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress (for Pauline Collins)
- 1989 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (for Pauline Collins)
- 1989 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut (for Pauline Collins)
It was also nominated for other big awards, like:
- 1989 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play
- 1989 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play
- 1989 Tony Award for Best Play
Shirley Valentine as a Movie
The writer, Willy Russell, also turned his play into a movie. The film version of Shirley Valentine came out in 1989. Lewis Gilbert directed it. Pauline Collins, who starred in the play, also played Shirley in the movie.
