SHIRLEY VALENTINE

(Lisa Bobbert revisits her acclaimed performance as Shirley Valentine)

The third Durban production of the year for Durban’s greatest theatrical export, KickstArt, presents a revival of their multi award-winning production of Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, starring Lisa Bobbert.

Shirley Valentine is a taken-for-granted middle-aged housewife, with indulged children and a self-involved husband who is caught in a menopausal rut; she finds herself talking to the kitchen wall while cooking her husband’s supper. A frisky girlfriend wins an all-expenses-paid holiday for two to Greece for two and invites Shirley along. The journey to Greece echoes Shirley’s personal journey of affirmation and discovery and, after a fortnight in the sun, she begins to see the world - and herself - in a different light.

Shirley Valentine has been both a 1986 Willy Russell one-hander play, and a subsequent charming romantic comedy film with Russell writing the screenplay, staring Pauline Collins in a career-defining role, supported by Tom Conti and Julie McKenzie. Shirley Valentine followed the similar-themed film, Educating Rita.

Directed by Steven Stead, and designed by Greg King with lighting design by Tina le Roux, the production offers a liberating adventure with everybody’s favourite housewife, Shirley Valentine. Lisa Bobbert reprises her 2008 role as the bored housewife who flees the nest.

Shirley Valentine runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from September 11 to 22. Booking is at Computicket. For block bookings of 10 or more, or sold performances, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places on 083 250 2690 or email: editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com