Shirley Valentine – Liverpool Everyman: March 1st – 29th

Events

Willy Russell is something of a cultural hero in Liverpool, and his one woman show, Shirley Valentine, is one of his most famous and well-loved works.

It was first performed at the Liverpool Everyman in 1986, and as part of the theatre’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the play is coming home for a one month run between March 1st and March 29th.

In the original production, Noreen Kershaw played Shirley Valentine, but ended up going down with appendicitis half way through the very first performance. Willy Russell himself stepped in and played Shirley for 3 weeks. It was certainly memorable for anyone who was there, but the only drama theatregoers should expect during this revival will be scripted.

If you don’t know the play, here’s the synopsis:

Shirley Valentine is a life-affirming story of one woman’s journey of self-discovery, laughter, and liberation. Shirley once had a zest for life, but at 42 is left with an empty nest, an emotionally distant husband and only ‘the wall’ for company. When her best friend offers the trip of a lifetime to Greece, can Shirley’s dreams of a life less ordinary finally come true?

It really is a hoot, and it tugs at the hearts strings too, as every perfect piece of theatre should.

The titular role will be played by Liverpool actress, Helen Carter, who is a regular on the Everyman stage, and the show is directed by Stephen Fletcher, who has previously worked at the theatre as an artistic advisor.

Tickets and Prices

Since the show is on for a whole month you have loads of opportunities to catch it.

There are 8 shows a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, with matinees at 1:30pm on Thursdays and 2:00pm on Saturdays. Evening shows begin at 7.30pm. Be warned, the Thursday matinees will probably be packed with children on school trips.

Prices vary depending on where you want to sit and what day you want to attend but are tiered as follows:

£21.00/£31.00
£26.00/£36.00
£31.00/£41.00

Tickets for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances can be bought for the cheaper prices, while tickets for the Friday and Saturday performances are £10 more expensive.

The show will be captioned on the 6th of March, audio described on the 14th of March, and signed on the 28th of March.

You might be able to get tickets for as little as £11.00 if they open the circle, but that will open happen on nights when it is sold out in the stalls.