Hello wall! Talking to her kitchen wall the opening scenes of this production of SHIRLEY VALENTINE set the stage for the life affirming journey that is her inimitable story.
Shirley Valentine the ordinary housewife from Liverpool opens with her overwhelmed by the stagnancy of her life as she talks away to her kitchen wall.
A surprise offer of a trip to Greece has her reluctantly embarking on the adventure of her lifetime as she steps away from the drudgery of domestic life and the isolation of her marriage.
This hit show first debuted on the West End in 1988 before moving to Broadway. The play is written by Willy Russell and this production is directed by Lee Lewis.
The standout star of this one woman show is Natalie Bassingthwaighte. As Shirley she runs the gamut of emotions. She is captivating, entertaining, heartbreakingly sad, emotional, defiant and very, very funny. Bassingthwaighte delivers a stellar performance.
Bassingthwaighte has had a remarkably broad and successful career as a singer and actor. She returns to the stage after her outstanding performance as Mary-Jane Healy in Jagged Little Pill in 2021. Her performance in this tightly executed production is as engaging and enlightening.
All the theatre production around this play supports the centre of this script’s conscience and intent. The set design in two acts reflects the claustrophobia of Shirley’s home life and then her newly realised emancipation.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE has a voice and a message and it is as relevant and delightful as it has always been. ‘I’ve allowed myself to lead this little life when inside me there was so much more’ is the inspiration and centre of this brilliant performance and enduring and life affirming play.
Shirley Valentine is back and her journey still resonates for women today and is testimony to why this play has a resounding return with this production. This is a play and a star that will return to our stages again.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte is playing a strictly limited season, until Sunday 26th October 2025 at the Theatre Royal Sydney.
Production photography by Brett Boardman
