Presented by Tea Tree Players
Reviewed 6 February 2025
It is said that the hardest thing to perform is comedy. But as equally hard, if not more so, is performing a one-person show. Believe me, this reviewer speaks from experience. Not only is there the obvious problem of “Gee, how do they remember all those lines?”, but the performer is alone on stage having to engage the audience the entire duration of the show with their acting skills and no one else’s. The performer must pull the audience in and make them invest emotionally in the entirety of what is being performed in front of them. Theresa “Lilly” Dolman does this brilliantly as Shirley Valentine in Tea Tree Players’ first show for its 2025 season. A brave move for the company that has paid off in spades by already having its entire season Sold Out!
Willy Russell, of Educating Rita fame, originally wrote Shirley Valentine for English actor Pauline Collins to portray on the British West End stage in the late Eighties. Collins later reprised the role in the film version. Amanda Muggleton toured around Australia with the play not long after, and as fate would have it, Natalie Bassingthwaite is appearing in a short season of it in Melbourne as I type.
It is somewhat ironic that a man can write such a witty, emotional and intelligent play about female feelings, but Russell’s script captures the heart of a middle-aged woman wondering if she is living life to her fullest potential perfectly. We meet Shirley, who has married fairly young in life, raised two children, works and is expected to keep house and tend to her husband’s needs (e.g. steak and chips waiting on the table for him every Thursday night – hell to pay if that routine should alter for any reason). Shirley’s best friend Jo offers to take her on a holiday to the Greek island of Corfu. That is the bones of the storyline – to say anymore would ruin an audience’s experience of this wonderful play.
This production is equally wonderful and has obvious love poured into it from all aspects. Robert Andrews’ direction is heartfelt and well-paced, with even a very well-timed non-dialogued piece at the beginning which places the audience’s attention onto Shirley straight away. Mike Phillips’ lighting design is cleverly appropriate and wonderfully evocative, especially in Act Two, when the story is set on Corfu. Act Two is also complemented by Damon Hill’s stunning Greek island backdrop. What Hill can do with colour and perspective is very impressive.
Theresa Dolman sparkles as Shirley Valentine, giving a stunning, magnificent tour de force performance. Her Shirley captures the audience’s attention as soon as she enters and just stands centre stage looking worn-out. But there is nothing worn-out about Dolman’s portrayal. Every piece of dialogue is pitch perfect. Every laugh is delivered precisely. Dolman also gives a master class in delivering the right dramatic mood at the right moment, with nothing overdone. There is a truly memorable moment in Act One when Dolman shows just how real and emotional she can be as an actor. As an actor one must be true to oneself and true to the character: Dolman achieves this ten-fold.
Last year I stated that the Players’ production of “Nobody’s Perfect” was one of the best productions that I had seen them perform: I think, thanks in no small part to Dolman’s excellent performance, that this production of Shirley Valentine has raised the bar yet again.
As I have said, the season is sold out, so unfortunately if you haven’t got tickets you’ll miss out. Perhaps you could pay Miss Bassingthwaite a visit in Melbourne.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: Tea tree Players Theatre
Season: Until 15 February 2025 – Season Sold Out
Duration: 1hr 75mins including a 20min interval
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