Shirley Valentine
MKFM's Vicki McCarthy from the Evening Show, covers for Arts Correspondent, Nancy Stevens while she’s on holiday and reviews Shirley Valentine at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Shirley Valentine - Willy Russell’s touching story of a downtrodden Scouse housewife, who feels that she no longer has a purpose in life besides looking after her ungrateful husband and being an unpaid servant for her ignorant, grown-up kids.
Shirley spends her days home alone, with her only confidant… the kitchen wall and has now begun to question her very existence. So when a chance to travel to Greece comes up, Shirley throws caution to the wind, not only embarking on her first trip abroad, but also on a delightful journey of self-discovery.
Made famous 28 years ago on the big screen, many of us are familiar with the film adaptation of Shirley Valentine and also with Pauline Collins’ and her magnificent portrayal of the lead character. The film saw Pauline star alongside a stellar supporting cast, including household names Joanna Lumley, Alison Steadman and Julia McKenzie. So many theatre-goers who have only seen the film may be surprised to learn that the original stage version is a one-woman show.
Step forward Jodie Prenger, first thrust into the spotlight in 2008, as she competed in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC show “I’d Do Anything”, where she not only won the heart of the nation, but also the coveted part of Nancy in hit musical Oliver!
Since Oliver! Jodie has seen much success, from treading the boards in Spamalot, One Man, Two Guvnors and Calamity Jane, to regular appearances on TV and radio, as well as charity work for causes close to her heart.
So there I was - excited and confident in her experience and abilities - settling into my seat at MK Theatre, intrigued by how Jodie would tell the story up there all on her own and I very much looked forward to seeing how her monologue would engage the audience.
As a huge fan of the 1989 film, I knew most of the hilarious lines before they were spoken, but Jodie’s delivery and energy ensured that laughs were still plentiful. Aside from the hilarity, Jodie’s depiction of the story’s vulnerable (but extremely loveable) heroine Shirley perfectly captured the poignancy of the underlying theme of loneliness and a life being wasted.
Despite the Scouse accent being dubious in places (I grew up in Liverpool and had the accent when I moved to MK!), Jodie made her version of Shirley as equally as endearing as Pauline Collins did almost three decades ago; you felt her isolation, you felt her frustration and you felt her joy as she began to rediscover a zest for life that was all but diminished after marrying Joe and becoming Shirley Bradshaw.
With just two acts and two simple sets, all eyes and ears were totally on Jodie, as she transported the audience back to the 1980s. She performed in a way that felt like it included the audience, making it feel that you were just listening to the woes of a good friend over a cup of tea, in their kitchen.
This is a play that has endured well over the years and I personally would define the film as a classic, so watching Jodie own the character, the script and audience’s attention so beautifully was a delight to witness.
Shirley Valentine is now running at MK Theatre until April 1st. Ticket prices start at £15.00.
Sponsored Stories
Local News
-
Milton Keynes passengers warned to ‘travel either side’ of Easter bank holiday as major works take place
Milton Keynes passengers are being warned to travel either side of the bank holiday as work takes place on the West Coast main line.
-
How to check if your household will be getting wheelie bins this September
The City Council has launched a brand new postcode checker to help residents know if they will be receiving wheelie bins this September.
-
Gulliver's theme park raises over £6,000 for Milton Keynes charity
Family-friendly theme park resort, Gulliver’s Land, has raised more than £6,000 for Willen Hospice, which provides specialist end-of-life care for adults in Milton Keynes.
-
MK Job Show returns to Milton Keynes shopping centre
The MK Job Show returns to Middleton Hall in centre:mk today and tomorrow (24th and 25th March) with over 80 employers and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team as main sponsor for the event.
-
Milton Keynes boy who was robbed on way home from school receives new bike
A Milton Keynes boy who had his bike robbed on his way home from school has been gifted a new one by PCSO's and staff from Trek Bikes.
-
Additional support announced for unpaid carers in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes City Council is preparing a package of additional support for unpaid carers, based around a free to access website with advice, information, and the opportunity to connect to other people in the same situation.
-
Willen Hospice CEO to join local people on charity trek across the Sahara desert
Eight local people, including Willen Hospice’s very own CEO, Peta Wilkinson, left for Morocco in the early hours of this morning (23/03/23), to spend three days trekking across the Sahara Desert.
-
Milton Keynes Dons SET recognised for work tackling knife crime
MK Dons Sport & Education Trust (SET), MK Dons FC and Stadium MK were recognised for the work and efforts undertaken during the city's ‘month of action’.
-
Aldi store in Milton Keynes reopens following huge makeover and extension
A Milton Keynes supermarket has reopened today after receiving a huge makeover and expansion.
-
City Council announces new help for homeowners in Milton Keynes
The City Council has confirmed it will be helping homeowners who are struggling with mortgage interest by launching a pioneering new scheme this year.
-
More than 33,000 miles of highways gritted over winter season in Milton Keynes
As we head into spring, the City Council is beginning to draw a close to its winter service season.
-
Milton Keynes woman given 10-year anti-social behaviour injunction after exploiting vulnerable people
A woman in Milton Keynes has been served with a 10-year Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction after exploiting vulnerable people in the city.
Weather
-
Sat
13°C
-
Sun
8°C
-
Mon
8°C
-
Tue
8°C
-
Wed
14°C
- How To Listen To MKFM
- MKFM and GDPR Data Regulation
- Contact Us
- Complaints Procedure
- Competition Terms and Conditions
© 2020 MKFM Limited - Radio Made In Milton Keynes. Powered by Aiir.