Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester – until 24 June 2017. Reviewed by Julie Noller
Has it really been 30 years since Pauline Collins and that perm graced the silver screen alongside Tom Conti to bring the play about a bored, middle aged Liverpudlian housewife, expertly written by Willy Russell to life? This is the anniversary tour, a celebration of restless housewives everywhere.
The set design follows two scenes split between the two Acts. During Act I we see a kitchen set that includes ‘wall’ the friend Shirley quite often talks to, alongside a 1980’s wooden kitchen that quite possibly came straight out of Brookside. The smell when those chips were cooking, oh wow made my mouth water for who doesn’t love chips? Certainly not the lady I sat next to, for her stomach was protesting and mine was agreeing. I noted that my parents quite possibly had the very same Hotpoint washing machine when I was youger, much to my amusement. Act II is the Greek Island set of beach and beautiful blue sky. With a new friend for Shirley ‘rock’ cleverly placed in the same position on stage as ‘wall’ for somethings never quite change, only this time her table is on the beach, outside where she can feel freedom.
Jodie Prenger is Shirley Valentine rocking it for every middle aged women, even without that perm (lets call it a modern twist), there are no other characters on stage for this is not the film, this is about one woman. Shirley the 42 year old housewife with two children who have grown up and flown the nest, question was would I now at only a year older myself watch and understand her? Of course I would, I identified with her totally, from the worries over children to lack of confidence over an outfit, that’s me. Jodie’s scouse accent was brave, performing so close to Liverpool people would easily pick up any mistakes, any slips, but you bypass those and watch as the story unfurls itself. A strong regional accent always takes some time to become accustomed to.
Shirley Valentine not only gives us a snap shot of 1980’s kitchens but life in surburban homes, women didn’t really venture out to pubs alone, nevermind sitting at a table in a Greek Taverna alone. They prepared egg and chips and expected consequences for it not being steak – sulking husbands who talked to the fridge because he can’t talk to his wife. Designer silk gowns were a luxury that wasn’t worn, M&S was the posh underware shop. Even now if I were to buy a silk gown, I think I’d do a Shirley Valentine and wear that gown everywhere!
As a play it’s straight humour, Willy Russell, well his understanding of women is unquestionable, his writing brilliant but you don’t need to hear that so let’s gush over Jodie Prenger instead. Her delivery was brilliant, the one liners exceptional, the emotional attachment I felt to Shirley real. You want to cheer Shirley on, shout out to her on stage ‘Go on love, You can do it’. The audience clapped and cheered her famous ‘sex for breakfast, sex for dinner’ rant. Every women will understand her wobbles in life, the nurturing of Motherhood against a need to feel free, to find herself, hands up if you’ve often looked in the mirror and wondered what happened to your 30’s never mind your 20’s, or is that just me? It was fantastic to see Jodie looking like me up on stage, not a performer who follows the latest fad diet craze, releases an exercise dvd in order to stay in the public eye. But looking like a real person who has lived, believably as a 42 year old Mother, warts and all and I loved her for it. Back to the humour too many one liners to make note of, but the laughter from every member of the audience and smiling faces afterwards tells its own tale. Every Mum was chuckling over the Nativity story line, for we’ve all been the Mum to smile through embarrassment or smile to another Mum whilst their little cherub is being the life and soul of the Nativity. But more so we understand a Mother’s love.
So what would the younger generation learn from watching Shirley Valentine? That quite possibly Shirley is the original vlogger….. just without the camera. The principles are there and I do believe she would reach out to quite the extensive audience. It’s a true girls night out, enjoy the wine ladies even olives if you fancy. But don’t be lonely in life because Shirley understands and there is hope for us all to escape to our very own Greek Island yet. I’m feeling inspired so I may just take a few moments to peruse Greek holidays, or just take a glass outside to enjoy the sun in my garden.