Shirley Valentine, the remarkable one-woman play by Willy Russell, opens at Her Majesty’s Theatre this April for a very limited season.
Shirley Valentine tells the inspiring and hilarious story of Shirley, a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife stuck in a life of routine. Talking to her kitchen wall, she dreams of escape and wonders what happened to the adventurous girl she once was. When a friend invites her on a spontaneous holiday to Greece, Shirley takes a bold leap into the unknown. With humour, charm and grit, she rediscovers her passion for life and her sense of self. Will she return to her old ways, or will Shirley find a new life where she can finally be her true self?
Shirley Valentine is brought to life by acclaimed actress Natalie Bassingthwaighte. Known for her incredible versatility spanning film (Elvis), television (Neighbours, Underbelly, X-Factor) and stage (Chicago, Jagged Little Pill), Natalie’s portrayal promises to deliver a fresh, dynamic take on Shirley’s journey, capturing every laugh, tear and moment of courage.
Natalie spoke to Glam Adelaide in the lead up to the Adelaide season of Shirley Valentine about the show, the rehearsal process and what drew her to pursue a career in the performing arts.
“When I was a kid, I would try all the things. I did physical circus, girl guides, gymnastics, hockey and netball. My mum would go and buy all the outfits and equipment and then within weeks I would decide that it’s not really for me. I used to be a massive fan of Young Talent Time and after watching that I begged my mum to let me sing and dance like they did on Young Talent Time. Mum caught me with the yellow pages trying to find a dance school that was close by. She told me it’s too expensive, but she ultimately realised how important it was to me and she found a great place and off I went. That was the beginning of it. It didn’t mean I necessarily thought It could be a career, but I knew that I loved it. I was interested in other things too. I did work experience as a primary school teacher and I was also quite interested in architecture and stuff like that. It wasn’t until I was 20-something when I got my first break.”
Having worked across stage and screen, we were interested in hearing from Natalie if she prefers working in one medium over the other, or if she sees value in working across them all.
“I really enjoy all the differences in everything that I do, not just stage and screen. If I’m doing a theatre piece compared to musical theatre, compared to a film or a band gig, I find they’re all so different but I think they all suit my personality. There really is no better feeling than being on stage and having that instant connection with an audience. There’s something really special about that but I do really love everything that I do.”
Natalie shared with us what drew her to take on the challenging role of Shirley Valentine, where she is the only actor on stage for the entire show.
“For me, It was the script. When I was asked about the play, I was very nervous at first and wondered if I could achieve it or if it would be possible for me. I read the script and I just felt so drawn to it, not just for personal reasons but for the collective of all of us. Men, women, everyone in between, getting to a certain age and wondering where their life has gone and who they are now and what the next 40 or 50 years will hold. It addresses a lot of questions that we do ask ourselves and I loved that about the script. I also loved that a lot of people assume that it’s so female driven, which of course it is, but I think the whole point is to see yourself in Shirley no matter what gender you are. That really was exciting to me. It’s really witty, it’s life-affirming, heartwarming, but it also encapsulates a time gone by while also being really relevant now. Then I just had to figure out how on earth I was going to learn all the lines and all the dialects.”
As a solo performer production, it would have been a challenge to develop the character when there was no-one else to work against in scenes.
“The whole process has been very different for me than how I usually work. Once I agreed to doing the show in November last year, I worked backwards in my head, from where I wanted to be by the time rehearsals started in January, and worked out what I had to do to get there. I learnt the whole script first and would look at it pretty much every day. I did what they call chunking, where you learn a paragraph at a time, then the next, then the next and build on what you’ve done. I then also started having two dialect sessions a week. That was the hardest part for me, applying the accent. That whole process felt like I was learning the entire script again. Then once we got into the actual rehearsal room in January, it was when things really started to fall into place. I read through the script with the director and got a real feel for who Shirley is, and then we started adding everything in with the set and props and actual movement. It really challenged me at times and I didn’t think I could do it. But there was so much support in the rehearsal room and it got me through.”
Shirley Valentine is only in Adelaide for a very limited season at Her Majesty’s Theatre, running April 1 – 6.
“I just love Adelaide so much. They love the arts scene and they all come out in droves to support the arts in every way. I’m not just saying this because I’m in it, but this is just one of those really special plays that you don’t want to miss. If you want to come along and laugh, shed a tear, reminisce and feel like you’re ready to take on your life and come along, don’t miss it. It’s really one of those very special pieces.”
An unforgettable, heartwarming journey of self-discovery that has captivated audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this chance to fall in love with Shirley’s wit, wisdom and wild spirit in a story that reminds us that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Shirley Valentine
Her Majesty’s Theatre
1 – 6 April, 2025
https://shirleyvalentine.com.au/
Photo credit: Brett Boardman
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