Name: Vanya
Start: 2023-09-15
End: 2023-10-21
Location: Duke of York's Theatre

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Vanya Lottery (LON)

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This Autumn, ANDREW SCOTT features in SIMON STEPHENS’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece.

Shirley Valentine - LON

1. Sheridan Smith in SHIRLEY VALENTINE. Photo John Wilson (1)

Shirley Valentine

SV TTIX 15 WEEKS DEC22 480x720

Watching [Sheridan Smith](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/discover-sheridan-smith-theatre-roles-tv-performances-and-more) connect with an audience is truly mesmerising. Even while holding a West End stage, she makes every single person in attendance feel as if she’s sat at the kitchen table with them, chatting away like a lifelong friend. 

It’s a magic power ideally suited to Willy Russell’s 1986 one-woman play [*Shirley Valentine*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/27242-shirley-valentine), which relies on us investing heavily in his title character’s domestic troubles and modest, but ultimately cheer-worthy, ambitions.

Shirley is a working-class Liverpudlian housewife whose two children have left home. Her marriage barely exists; her belittling, semi-abusive husband only notices her when she makes him the wrong dinner (Smith actually cooks chips and egg live on stage). At 42, she’s completely lost her sense of self, and it takes a chance encounter with an old schoolmate to make her question: whatever happened to Shirley Valentine? 

Thankfully, her pal Jane (recently divorced, budding feminist) intervenes to give Shirley, who has never been abroad, a golden opportunity: a two-week holiday in Greece, without her family. Will Shirley find the nerve to go, and will the trip prove transformative? Well, suffice to say this isn’t a story that ever confounds expectations.

Russell’s piece operates like a direct-address monologue, although technically Shirley addresses her kitchen wall rather than us - indicative of her desperate loneliness. It’s an irritating but effective device, giving us a strong sense of how this relentless and isolating routine has ground her down over the years.

However, several elements of Russell’s script are inescapably dated. In particular, I felt bludgeoned by the endless old-school comic one-liners: “Marriage is like the Middle East - there’s no solution”; “Sex is like Sainsbury’s - overrated.” There’s also an interminable riff on the discovery of the clitoris, which feels hopelessly tame in a post-Fleabag world, and a nativity anecdote that would only really interest you if it was about your own child. 

But when Russell switches gear and has Shirley candidly, painfully expose her vulnerabilities - like recalling how a cruel headmistress damaged her confidence, making her feel that dreams were only for the clever or moneyed pupils - Smith (who has had her own struggles with mental health, famously during her run of *Funny Girl*) is in her element. She gradually dims Shirley’s determinedly sunny facade, conveying a wealth of emotion in just a wavering smile.

Annoyingly, Russell’s overwritten piece doesn’t trust her - or us. Just as we’ve inferred something obvious, like that Shirley pretended to hate everything in her teens because she hated herself, or that she hasn’t left her husband because she’s scared of the unknown, the script spells that out for us. It starts to conflict with the characterisation: if she’s so au fait with every feeling, as though she’s gone through years of intense therapy, why is she so paralysed? It would make more sense if she was telling this story in retrospect, but it’s meant to be played in the present. 

However, judging by the numerous chuckles and murmurs of recognition on my night, plenty of Russell’s observations still chime with people — including the suspicion when a woman is sitting on her own in a restaurant, or (groan) the embarrassing antics of Brits abroad. The tale’s brief use of a fantastical Greek lothario is rather wince-inducing, though, and I longed for more grit. With Smith’s chirpy telling lacking the acid moments of Pauline Collins’s original Oscar-nominated version, it risks descending into broad sitcom-meets-cloying wish fulfilment. 

But then perhaps that cosiness is a tonic right now — and there’s no doubting the kitsch charm of Matthew Dunster’s production. Paul Wills supplies a 1980s mint-green kitchen (matched by Shirley’s trousers) and later a dazzling splash of blue sky, melting into a pink sunset - shimmering in Lucy Carter’s luscious lighting design. It’s basically [*Mamma Mia!*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/304-mamma-mia-tickets) without the ABBA.

But, even if the lessons about learning to love yourself and how (gasp!) women, too, can enjoy sex feel rather hoary, the core message of not leaving any “unused life” resonates deeply after Covid. And it’s a pleasure to see Smith back centre stage, once more casting her spell.

*Shirley Valentine is at the Duke of York's Theatre through 3 June.*

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://ticket.londontheatre.co.uk/booking/calendar?product_id=27242&content_product_id=27242&venue_id=116)

*Photo credit: Sheridan Smith in Shirley Valentine (Photo by John Wilson)*

'Shirley Valentine' review – Sheridan Smith casts a spell in this endearing, if dated, one-woman play

Read our three-star review of *Shirley Valentine* at the Duke of York's Theatre, starring Sheridan Smith, running through 3 June. Get *Shirley Valentine* tickets on London Theatre.

The Duke Of York’s Theatre opened as the Trafalgar Square Theatre in 1892.The playhouse received its current name three years later in 1895, in honour of the future King George V. 

Famous productions to play at the Duke Of York’s Theatre include David Belasco’s *Madame Butterfly* in 1900 – Puccini was in the audience and famously turned the story into an opera. J. M. Barrie's famous creation *Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up* opened at the theatre on 27 Dec. 1904.

Typically, the Duke of York's Theatre is home to short-running plays, with West End and Broadway stars appearing.

## Duke of York's Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels – Stalls, Royal Circle and Upper Circle.

The Stalls offer good legroom throughout, and the raking of the seats is very good, noticeably from Row D onwards. 

In the Royal Circles, there is no visual obstruction from the Upper Circle. 

The seats in the Upper Circle curve towards the stage. The final two rows of the Upper Circle are bench seats.

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[Sheridan Smith](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/stars-on-stage/sheridan-smith) plays a middle-aged housewife with big dreams in Willy Russell's one-woman play. *Shirley Valentine* tickets are available now on London Theatre.

On the surface, all seems well for Liverpudlian housewife Shirley Valentine: she’s married, she has children, and she lives the "dream." But her husband shows little affection towards her. As she spends her days cooking her husband’s favourite meal — chips and egg — Shirley dreams of more. 

So when she and her friend go to Greece, Shirley sees this as a chance to start again. While on holiday, she meets local man Costas and begins to see the world in a new light. Will she book a return ticket? *Shirley Valentine* is an ode to owning your own happiness and keeping your fighting spirit.

Willy Russell is perhaps best known for the *Blood Brothers* musical. *Blood Brothers* ran in the West End for 24 years, clocking up over 10,000 performances. As well as the musical, Russell created *Educating Rita, Our Day Out*, and *One Summer*. Shirley Valentine also wowed London audiences, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Pauline Collins also played the lead female on screen; the film picked up two Academy Award nominations. 

## Who plays Shirley Valentine? 

Sheridan Smith will play Shirley Valentine. The two-time Olivier Award-winning actress’s theatre credits include *Funny Girl, Hedda Gabler*, and *Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat*. Her television credits include the award-winning turn as Cilla Black in *Cilla,* as well as *Gavin and Stacey* and *Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.*

Tickets to *Shirley Valentine* are available now. Book your *Shirley Valentine* tickets on London Theatre today.

Shirley Valentine - LON - London Theatre

Shirley Valentine is a Liverpudlian housewife. She dreams of a bigger life. One day, she may just leave a note saying: 'Gone! Gone to Greece.' See the BAFTA and Olivier-winning actress Sheridan Smith in Willy Russell's play at the Duke of York's Theatre. Learn more about *Shirley Valentine* tickets on London Theatre.

There's more to Shirley than cooking chips and eggs. Her time away is transformative: she realises what makes her happy, she begins to enjoy herself, and she has fun. *Shirley Valentine* explores the importance of finding your voice and purpose in a complicated world.

After a Liverpool premiere, Russell’s *Shirley Valentine* premiered at the Vaudeville Theatre in 1988. The show won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and Best Actress for Pauline Collins. Many actresses have taken on Willy Russell's feisty female, notably Meera Syal and Jodie Prenger. Now *Shirley Valentine* in London is back in full force with Sheridan Smith at the Duke of York's Theatre in spring 2023.

## What to Watch For: 

- When *Shirley Valentine* premiered in Liverpool, the original actress was struck down with appendicitis. As a result, Russell starred in early performances.
- Pauline Collins played the Liverpudlian housewife in the *Shirley Valentine* film. Collins won a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role and also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. 
- Willy Russell’s stories often focus on a character from Liverpool. His other shows include *Educating Rita, Our Day Out*, and *Blood Brothers*.

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Buy tickets for Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York's Theatre in London. Find official theatre tickets to Plays with Box Office.

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Born in Epworth, Lincolnshire in 1981,&nbsp;Sheridan Smith&nbsp;has performed in numerous television shows and musicals, earning an OBE in 2015 for services to drama.&nbsp;With a keen interest in drama from a young age, Smith studied dance and performing arts at every opportunity, but did not attend drama school. Smith made her television debut at 18 years old, playing Emma in the BBC series&nbsp;The Royle Family. Three years after, she landed the role of Janet Keogh in&nbsp;Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, starring in the programme from 2001 to 2009.

Outside of theatre, she is best known for her roles in television. She has had roles in comedy shows such as Benidorm and Gavin and Stacey, in which she played Rudi, the sister of Smithy played by James Corden. She has also appeared in a number of dramas such as Mrs Biggs, which won her a BAFTA award, and The 7.39 alongside&nbsp;David Morrissey.

Smith played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at the&nbsp;<a href="/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier Chocolate Factory</a>&nbsp;in 2006, transferring to the&nbsp;<a href="/theatres/ambassadors-theatre">Ambassadors Theatre</a>.&nbsp;In 2009, she took on the role of Elle Woods in&nbsp;Legally Blonde&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="/theatres/savoy-theatre">Savoy Theatre</a>, earning an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.&nbsp;

In 2012, she played the title role in&nbsp;Hedda Gabler&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="/theatres/old-vic-theatre">Old Vic</a>, and was then in a revival of the Terence Rattigan play&nbsp;Flare Path at <a href="/theatres/theatre-royal-haymarket">Theatre Royal Haymarket</a>, winning an Olivier for Best Actress.&nbsp;The following year, she starred in&nbsp;A Midsummer Night’s Dream&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="/theatres/noel-coward-theatre">Noël Coward Theatre</a>, alongside David Walliams.

In 2015, Smith went on to play the role of Fanny Brice in the musical&nbsp;Funny Girl, which initially ran at the&nbsp;Menier Chocolate Factory, before transferring to the&nbsp;Savoy Theatre and touring the UK. She was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical following the show’s West End transfer.

More recently, Smith has played Cilla Black in the ITV biographical drama&nbsp;Cilla, as well as releasing her debut album titled ‘Sheridan’ in 2017, with her second album ‘A Northern Soul’ a year later. She's recently starred in&nbsp;the West End revival of&nbsp;[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat](http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat)&nbsp;as the Narrator, appearing alongside <a href="/actor-profile/jason-donovan">Jason Donovan</a>. 

In 2023, Smith will star in the one-woman play, *Shirley Valentine.*

Sheridan Smith - LON

Read all about Sheridan Smith (Gavin and Stacey, Cilla, The C Word) and her latest appearances on stage at LondonTheatre.co.uk

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