SHIRELY VALENTINE

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Adam Spiegel Productions)

Jodie Prenger as Shirley Valentine

Shirley Valentine is the story of a 42 year old wife, with two grown up kids, who, one day, decides to go to Greece for a holiday. Perhaps not the most exciting plot but for Shirley, this is more than just a jaunt to the Mediterranean. For Shirley Bradshaw, nee Valentine, this is about finding herself. This is about reclaiming the bravery of her younger self who used to jump off the roof of her house for fun. This is about not accepting the drudgery of her existence any more. This is about honouring the huge amount of life that she hasn't lived. This is about being the Shirley Valentine she always wanted to be!

Penned by the hugely inspiring Willy Russell (Blood Brothers, Educating Rita) the play is set in Liverpool and brilliantly explores the sad truth of unfulfilled potential and the stark reality of a life half lived. Through the loveable character of Shirley Valentine, he lays bare the mid life crisis, showing how easily it is to become trapped in routine and the safety of our comfort zone, until the fear of everything staying the same is more scary than the fear of the unknown.

Jodie Prenger, who was last at Malvern in the guise of all singing and dancing, gun touting, Calamity Jane, takes on this epic, eponymous role. Fans of the film, starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti, may be surprised to find that the play is a one woman show. It is a two hour monologue with the first half taking place in Shirley’s kitchen and the second half on a beach in Greece. All of the characters are there, but narrated by the protagonist of the story. Prenger is superb in the role and takes the audience on a truly emotional rollercoaster. Her focus and delivery throughout is magnificent, particularly in act one as she shares the character's inner most thoughts and feelings, discussing the events that lead up to the great escape, while cooking egg and chips for husband, Joe, for when he gets in from work. Make sure you eat before you go. Otherwise, you’ll be ravenous by the interval.

Glen Walford has done a great job directing the action to look ordinary and mundane and not detract from the storytelling. In reality it must have taken forever to choreograph the preparing of dinner. The direction throughout is unobtrusive and flows well, utilising Amy Yardley’ set design, that received a round of applause when the curtain rose for act two, or perhaps it was recognition that Ms Valentine had made it to Greece.

Although extremely moving, this is a very funny script and Prenger’s delivery maximises the laughs. Her standing ovation was well deserved and I'm sure everyone in the auditorium connected with Shirley's plight in some way or another, with their own past, present or future. This is a modern classic and a must see. A great production, wonderfully executed.

5 stars