Shirley Valentine

From the company that brought you Tell Me On A Sunday comes the celebrated one-woman play SHIRLEY VALENTINE written by WILLY RUSSELL and starring REGINA MALAN. This endearing, laugh-out-loud comedy won RUSSELL his third Olivier Award after Educating Rita and Blood Brothers. REGINA has most recently appeared as Elsie in The Yeoman of the Guard and as Emma in Tell Me On A Sunday.

Trailblazing SHIRLEY has changed women's lives ever since the 42-year-old working-class Liverpudlian housewife first appeared, talking to the wall while making eggs and chips for dinner. Bored, wondering what happened to her youth and childhood dreams, her initially enriching marriage has settled into a dull routine. Her family treats her more like a housekeeper, and she regularly finds herself alone as her husband Joe has become emotionally distant. “It's a good job we're not having soup, or else I'd put me head in it and drown meself,” she tells the kitchen wall.

When her flamboyant friend Jane wins a trip for two to Greece, SHIRLEY uncharacteristically puts herself first and accepts Jane's invitation to join her in the land of olive trees, tavernas, and sun-drenched beaches.

Much has changed for women since SHIRLEY VALENTINE was first performed, but her poignant question, “Why do you get all this life, when it can’t be used?” remains as pertinent today as ever. Amid the clutter, bustle and responsibility of life, everyone deserves their day in the sun.

And the rest of the story? Come and see SHIRLEY VALENTINE, directed by JONATHAN WALKER-KANE, for an uplifting tale of liberating re-discovery … with a twist at the end you won’t expect!

PLEASE NOTE: Shirley will be played by MEGAN ARMSTRONG-DAVIES on Thursday 21, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November @ 19:00, and Saturday 23 November @ 14:00

Regina’s most recent roles include Elsie in The Yeomen of the Guard at Artscape and Emma in Tell Me On A Sunday at the Homecoming Centre. Megan has most recently appeared as the lead vocalist in The Great Gatsby (2022), Trial By Jury (2024) and Stages Through The Ages (2024)

Group bookings: Tracy Cahill at tcahill@igen.co.za