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Shirley Valentine
The heroine in this actor's tour-de-force is an ordinary middle class English housewife. As she prepares egg and chips for dinner, she ruminates on her life and tells the wall about her husband, her children, her past, and an invitation from a girlfriend to join her on holiday in Greece to search for romance and adventure. Ultimately, Shirley does escape to Greece, has an "adventure" with a local fisherman and decides to stay. This hilariously engaging play was a hit in London and New York, performed by Pauline Collins, who later recreated her role on film garnering an Oscar nomination.
52 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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290 people want to read
About the author
Willy Russell
48 books84 followersWilliam Russell is a British dramatist, lyricist, and composer. His best-known works are Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine, and Blood Brothers.
Willy Russell was born in Whiston, on the outskirts of Liverpool, where he grew up. His parents worked in a book publisher's and often encouraged him to read. After leaving school with one O-level in English, he first became a ladies' hairdresser and ran his own salon. Russell then undertook a variety of jobs, also the first play he wrote was Keep Your Eyes Down Low (1975). His first success was a play about The Beatles called John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert. Originally commissioned for the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool was transferring to the West End in 1974. Educating Rita (1980) concerned a female hairdresser and her Open University teacher. The semi-autobiographical Educating Rita was turned into a 1983 film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters. The musical Blood Brothers (1983), for which Russell also composed the music, first opened in Liverpool and transferred to London's Phoenix Theatre. It won the best actress award at the Lawrence Olivier awards. Bill Kenwright produced a revival in 1988 which has run for more than twenty years; the show was produced on Broadway in 1993. Shirley Valentine, which first opened in Liverpool in 1986 before a new production opened in London in 1988 starring Pauline Collins. It was also made into a successful film, in 1989, again with Collins in the title role. Russell received BAFTA and Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for both Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.
Russell has also written television projects, including the one-off drama, Our Day Out, which aired in 1977. He penned another television drama, One Summer, which aired as a five-part series on Channel 4 in 1983, starring a young David Morrissey.
In 2000, Russell published his first novel, The Wrong Boy. In epistolary form, main character Raymond Marks, a 19-year old from Manchester, tells the story of his life in letters to his hero Morrissey.
Russell has written songs since the early 1960s, and has written the music to most of his plays and musicals. He also co-wrote "The Show", the theme song to the 1985 ITV drama series Connie, which became a top 30 hit for vocalist Rebecca Storm. His first album, Hoovering the Moon, was released in 2003.
The Willy Russell Centre for Children and Adults Who Stammer, was opened by Russell in Liverpool, 1996. The centre took Russell's name as his writing in many of his plays puts forward the philosophy that anyone is capable of change whatever obstacles may be in their path, a theory shared by the centre.
Willy Russell was born in Whiston, on the outskirts of Liverpool, where he grew up. His parents worked in a book publisher's and often encouraged him to read. After leaving school with one O-level in English, he first became a ladies' hairdresser and ran his own salon. Russell then undertook a variety of jobs, also the first play he wrote was Keep Your Eyes Down Low (1975). His first success was a play about The Beatles called John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert. Originally commissioned for the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool was transferring to the West End in 1974. Educating Rita (1980) concerned a female hairdresser and her Open University teacher. The semi-autobiographical Educating Rita was turned into a 1983 film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters. The musical Blood Brothers (1983), for which Russell also composed the music, first opened in Liverpool and transferred to London's Phoenix Theatre. It won the best actress award at the Lawrence Olivier awards. Bill Kenwright produced a revival in 1988 which has run for more than twenty years; the show was produced on Broadway in 1993. Shirley Valentine, which first opened in Liverpool in 1986 before a new production opened in London in 1988 starring Pauline Collins. It was also made into a successful film, in 1989, again with Collins in the title role. Russell received BAFTA and Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for both Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.
Russell has also written television projects, including the one-off drama, Our Day Out, which aired in 1977. He penned another television drama, One Summer, which aired as a five-part series on Channel 4 in 1983, starring a young David Morrissey.
In 2000, Russell published his first novel, The Wrong Boy. In epistolary form, main character Raymond Marks, a 19-year old from Manchester, tells the story of his life in letters to his hero Morrissey.
Russell has written songs since the early 1960s, and has written the music to most of his plays and musicals. He also co-wrote "The Show", the theme song to the 1985 ITV drama series Connie, which became a top 30 hit for vocalist Rebecca Storm. His first album, Hoovering the Moon, was released in 2003.
The Willy Russell Centre for Children and Adults Who Stammer, was opened by Russell in Liverpool, 1996. The centre took Russell's name as his writing in many of his plays puts forward the philosophy that anyone is capable of change whatever obstacles may be in their path, a theory shared by the centre.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews
September 1, 2017
From BBC Radio 4 - Saturday Drama:
Written by acclaimed writer Willy Russell.
Shirley Valentine is a middle-aged Liverpool housewife, who reveals her innermost thoughts and fears in a manner that is both insouciant and poignant. Once an incorrigible anti-establishment rebel, Shirley now chafes under the plodding insensitivity of her husband, Joe and the stultifying pace of her suburban routine. Her life enters a new and exciting phase when, after her best friend, Jane, wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece, Shirley is given the opportunity to travel to faraway places without her husband; she begins to see the world, and herself, in a different light.
Starring Meera Syal, after a much lauded run at the Menier Chocolate Factory the play transferred to The Trafalgar studio to continued success. Finishing in theatre on October 30th Meera walked straight into the studio to record the one woman play for Radio 4. Based on the original Menier Theatre production directed by Glen Walford.
Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wmxw3
Written by acclaimed writer Willy Russell.
Shirley Valentine is a middle-aged Liverpool housewife, who reveals her innermost thoughts and fears in a manner that is both insouciant and poignant. Once an incorrigible anti-establishment rebel, Shirley now chafes under the plodding insensitivity of her husband, Joe and the stultifying pace of her suburban routine. Her life enters a new and exciting phase when, after her best friend, Jane, wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece, Shirley is given the opportunity to travel to faraway places without her husband; she begins to see the world, and herself, in a different light.
Starring Meera Syal, after a much lauded run at the Menier Chocolate Factory the play transferred to The Trafalgar studio to continued success. Finishing in theatre on October 30th Meera walked straight into the studio to record the one woman play for Radio 4. Based on the original Menier Theatre production directed by Glen Walford.
Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wmxw3
November 19, 2024
lo tuve que leer para mi clase de lengua inglesa I y la verdad me gustó mucho. fue muy gracioso ver las conversaciones de shirley con la pared!?!?!?!? y como se descubre a ella misma en ese proceso. una genia!!
May 20, 2016
Well, I'm not sure if I've read the same play as the other reviewers talk about.
I was so bored while reading this. I did not laugh. I did not even smile. Is there anything wrong with me?
Ok, let's get serious.
So. Shirley Valentine(omg that name is just too awful) lives an unhappy life. She feels that she is just a mother, a wife, that she has lost at some point her own identity. She feels that her husband does not love her. So she decides to go all reckless and accepts one of her friend's invitation: to go to a trip to Greece. This is the first step in Shirley's life that shows she wants to be happy.
That seems to be inspiring, isn't it? Well, no. No. NO.
You don't have to do those things in order to be a free, independent and strong person. There are so many ways to regain your identity, to live again.
The ONLY thing I liked about this play (and that made me add one more star to the review, because it made me think a lot of things) is this quote:
I've lived such a little life. An' even that'll be over pretty soon. I'd allowed myself to live this little life - when inside me there was so much more. An' it's all gone unused. An' now it never will be. Well. Why do we get all thus life if we don't ever use it? Why do we all get these... feelings and dreams and hopes - if we don't ever use them?
That's where Shirley Valentine disappeared to. She got lost - in all this unused life.
This is just another non-life changing book for me.
I was so bored while reading this. I did not laugh. I did not even smile. Is there anything wrong with me?
Ok, let's get serious.
So. Shirley Valentine
That seems to be inspiring, isn't it? Well, no. No. NO.
You don't have to do those things in order to be a free, independent and strong person. There are so many ways to regain your identity, to live again.
The ONLY thing I liked about this play (and that made me add one more star to the review, because it made me think a lot of things) is this quote:
I've lived such a little life. An' even that'll be over pretty soon. I'd allowed myself to live this little life - when inside me there was so much more. An' it's all gone unused. An' now it never will be. Well. Why do we get all thus life if we don't ever use it? Why do we all get these... feelings and dreams and hopes - if we don't ever use them?
That's where Shirley Valentine disappeared to. She got lost - in all this unused life.
This is just another non-life changing book for me.
April 20, 2019
"He says he still loves me. You know. He doesn't. It's just somethin' he says. It's funny isn't it, 'I love you'. Like it makes everythin' all right. Like you can be beaten and battered and half-insane — and if you complain he'll say, 'What's wrong? You know I love you.'"
Shirley Valentine tells the story of a middle-aged woman bogged down by her marriage, who takes the opportunity to go on a trip to Greece with a friend and leave her dull routine behind, at least for a while.
Much like Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine deals with a working class woman wanting more out of life than what is expected of her. However, this screenplay focuses more on feminism and touches on the role of women as mothers and wives, self-love and female sexuality.
My only piece of criticism is that I think the first half of the book was too passive. It consisted mainly of Shirley explaining her own backstory through voice-overs and flashbacks which I honestly think is lousy storytelling.
I loved how, despite there being some romance, Russell never makes it the main focus of the plot or a magic problem solver. Rather, he uses it as a way for the protagonists to learn and grow throughout the story.
"I've lived such a little life. An' even that'll be over pretty soon. I'd allowed myself to live this little life — when inside me there was so much more. An' it's all gone unused (...) That's where Shirley Valentine disappeared to. She got lost — in all this unused life."
Read
December 2, 2022Read for school so no rating but I really did enjoy this. A lovely play.
August 9, 2024
Muy entretenido
March 21, 2019
4.5/5 stars
My English teacher told my class to read half of this play for next Monday and I kinda ended up liking it quite a bit and finished it!
I certainly love books (or play in this case) about independent women and this was no exception!
Shirley Valentine is tired of being treated like a servant in her own family. Her husband only wants her to be there when he needs her, for cooking, cleaning, shopping, and other household chores. Her daughter expects the same for her. The only one who seems reasonable and not selfish is her son when we see by the end of the story that he is the only one who understands Shirley.
Even though she is forty-two and her idea of a new life seems a bit reckless and crazy, she takes the risk.
This play is a great example that it is never to late to start doing what you actually want to do and putting yourself first.
My English teacher told my class to read half of this play for next Monday and I kinda ended up liking it quite a bit and finished it!
I certainly love books (or play in this case) about independent women and this was no exception!
Shirley Valentine is tired of being treated like a servant in her own family. Her husband only wants her to be there when he needs her, for cooking, cleaning, shopping, and other household chores. Her daughter expects the same for her. The only one who seems reasonable and not selfish is her son when we see by the end of the story that he is the only one who understands Shirley.
Even though she is forty-two and her idea of a new life seems a bit reckless and crazy, she takes the risk.
This play is a great example that it is never to late to start doing what you actually want to do and putting yourself first.
September 6, 2018
DAMN was this such a delightful read. I think I ended up liking this play more than the other one I had read in the past from this author, Educating Rita (both for a class).
So heartwarming and charming and fun, as well as very witty. I'm sure there were some moments where the punch line went straight off my head because I'm not English native, but the ones I did get were great.
If I have to read more of this author in the future for more classes, I'll be excited to get my hands on the next play.
So heartwarming and charming and fun, as well as very witty. I'm sure there were some moments where the punch line went straight off my head because I'm not English native, but the ones I did get were great.
If I have to read more of this author in the future for more classes, I'll be excited to get my hands on the next play.
July 9, 2018
Fun narrative that was enlightening for women in the 80’s with some hilarious lines. “All men are potential rapists. Even the Pope.”
Comedy at its best without saturated profanity, female objectification, and mindless storylines.
Comedy at its best without saturated profanity, female objectification, and mindless storylines.
April 7, 2024
Wow, what a pleasant surprise. I did not expect to love this play as much as I did.
May 10, 2021
No le tenía nada de fe y me gustó un montón. Hubo momentos en los que me tentaba, enojaba y quería ir ahí a mandar a cagar a unos cuantos, y también quería ir a abrazar a Shirley y charlar un rato de la vida (obvio que también decía: amiga qué haces🙂). Sentí bastante más de lo que creí, me identifiqué con algunas cosas y agradezco al feminismo no sentirme identificada con muchas otras situaciones. Este tipo de obras me brinda perspectiva sobre lo que cambió y lo que ya no es la norma, pero por sobre todo me dio esperanza. Muchas veces uno se enfoca en objetivos complejos y no ve los logros que poco a poco construyen esa meta futura. Avanzamos un montón; brindo por eso (con mate porque son las 11am).
También me enterneció Shirley Valentine y sus ganas de resurgir. Siento que en la vida hay muchos momentos donde ser uno mismo es difícil, por lo que muchos eligen sacar a escena su “Shirley Bradshaw” para sobrevivir. Si nos cerramos, sentimos menos. Si sentimos menos, las cosas duelen menos. Si damos de baja nuestros sueños y ambiciones porque “son imposibles”, entonces no hay manera de fracasar. Es una constante (mediocre). Pero me pareció increíble cómo Shirley labura consigo misma y entiende que ella es una reina; ser quien es le hace bien y punto.
Como crítica, me hubiera gustado más compañía por parte de su amiga. Nunca la escuchaba ni validaba sus opiniones. Entiendo que es parte del estereotipo de la época, y sirvió a la historia pero no me cerró del todo personalmente.
No me volvió loca pero me re gustó y en pocas páginas pensé un montón, me replanteé situaciones, me calenté y quise salir a gritar, me reí y sonreí. Lo re recomiendo.
También me enterneció Shirley Valentine y sus ganas de resurgir. Siento que en la vida hay muchos momentos donde ser uno mismo es difícil, por lo que muchos eligen sacar a escena su “Shirley Bradshaw” para sobrevivir. Si nos cerramos, sentimos menos. Si sentimos menos, las cosas duelen menos. Si damos de baja nuestros sueños y ambiciones porque “son imposibles”, entonces no hay manera de fracasar. Es una constante (mediocre). Pero me pareció increíble cómo Shirley labura consigo misma y entiende que ella es una reina; ser quien es le hace bien y punto.
Como crítica, me hubiera gustado más compañía por parte de su amiga. Nunca la escuchaba ni validaba sus opiniones. Entiendo que es parte del estereotipo de la época, y sirvió a la historia pero no me cerró del todo personalmente.
No me volvió loca pero me re gustó y en pocas páginas pensé un montón, me replanteé situaciones, me calenté y quise salir a gritar, me reí y sonreí. Lo re recomiendo.
August 5, 2024
One-woman play about Shirley Bradshaw (née Valentine), a housewife in early middle age, who, at the onset, is talking to the wall in her kitchen, considering a friend’s offer of a two-week trip to Greece. From that deceptively simple, seemingly cliched start (the Grecian element gives shades of the muuuuch inferior MAMMA MIA!), Russell builds one of the finest, funniest, masterful, and most moving character studies I’ve ever read.
September 8, 2025
"Hello, walls!". No one knows how to write British female prole lives than Willy Russell. SHIRLEY VALENTINE is a prose poem, a one-woman dialogue by a wife trapped in the middle-class existence her husband has provided for her, and hating it. A clueless husband, ungrateful children, fake feminist friends, and that all-popular girl ahead of her in public school all come in for the Shirley treatment.
June 18, 2022
In England, lonely, she talks to her fridge. In Greece, she talks to a rock. Until she takes a chance for a sail with a handsome cafe owner. He is not The Answer, but she goes strong with a glass of wine to toast the sunset. Set back in more swinging times, she still represents the I Am Woman theme. I know there are different endings, but this open end one appealed to me.
September 18, 2017
I love this story. Especially when Gillian brings the silk wrap, and tells Shirley she thinks she's marvellous, it's such a tiny thing, with almost no information, no backstory, no actual detail, but so much emotion and longing.
February 26, 2019
Beautiful. I love the challenges inherent in the "one person show" and this one is just perfectly constructed. I was lucky enough to see it on Broadway a million years ago. It has aged noticeably but Shirley still charms.
December 3, 2022
I used to have this thing against Willy Russell where I just thought his writing was naff and boring, but actually it’s quite remarkable.
I felt every beat of Shirley’s voice and I loved it. Didn’t think I would but her pain and power is inspirational and I love her.
I felt every beat of Shirley’s voice and I loved it. Didn’t think I would but her pain and power is inspirational and I love her.
July 13, 2017
What a wonderful play. It has also aged so well. Empowering, funny, poignant. Highly recommend.
January 27, 2019
Funny, sweet and short. Shirley is every dissatisfied woman’s hero.
August 7, 2020
⭐️3.5⭐️
October 19, 2021
For Drama Reading Group.
May 4, 2022
I loved it more than the film! Listened to the audio read by Willy Russell. Superb!
June 25, 2022
Why do we get all this life if we don’t ever use it? Why do we get all these …. feelings and dreams and hopes - if we don’t ever use them ?
August 25, 2022
Wonderful play
October 13, 2022
Audiobook.
Just as fun as the movie :)
Just as fun as the movie :)
April 7, 2023
no esperaba engancharme tanto!!! me re gustó
November 6, 2024
A complete work of genius which has aged so well and pretty much set the foundation for Fleabag.
August 12, 2025
Read at the recommendation of a friend. Utterly delightful tale of a woman finding herself. It's heartwarming, empowering.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews