Shirley Valentine, Willy Russell’s 1986 monologue about a deflated, lonely housewife, can seem a little dated at times, especially on paper, but powerhouse performer Sharon Millerchip does her darnedest to bring it forward into the 21st century.
Shirley Bradshaw, as she is now, is bored and lonely. She talks to the walls and fulfils her duties as housewife to her dull, routine-stricken husband and mother to unsupportive, judgemental children. And that’s it. She is a mere shadow of the former vivacious, rebellious young woman who was Shirley Valentine, and deep down inside her she longs for adventure and change. But her suffocating sense of responsibility and duty is stopping her from reaching out and grabbing it, even when her best friend buys her a plane ticket to Greece.
This kind of repression isn’t really visible in today’s society, and so can make connecting with the play a little challenging. This kind of adherence to tradition and societal expectations isn’t something the modern-day #TimesUp woman knows much about, and what a wonderful thing that is.
But what we do connect with is Shirley’s lack of self confidence, her desire for a better life but also her fear of change and upheaval. We listen in sympathy as she describes her day-to-day life, and silently urge her to take those tickets and run.
Director Mark Kilmurry ensures the show runs at a lick, and Millerchip’s undeniable charisma keeps us running along with it. She’s magnetic, and perfectly captures Shirley’s baffling but ultimately sound outlook on the world. Her Liverpudlian accent, which is hard to embody at the best of times, is a little wobbly, however.
But while she may not resonate on all levels, Shirley Valentine shows a certain bravery and strength of character that many would do well to learn from. She teeters on the edge, and we’re not sure whether she’ll take the leap — and that’s part of her charm, and part of the reason Russell’s play has endured.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now & On The Town
Shirley Valentine
Willy Russell
3th May-9th Jun
Venue: Ensemble Theatre
Theatre Company:
Duration: Approx. 2hrs (including interval)
