Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine returns home to Liverpool Everyman

Get ready to embark on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and laughter as Willy Russell’s iconic one-woman show, Shirley Valentine, returns home to the Liverpool Everyman as part of the theatre’s 60th birthday celebrations.

Originally commissioned and staged by the Everyman, Shirley Valentine promises to reignite the magic of Russell’s timeless tale with Liverpool actor Helen Carter stepping into the role of Shirley under the direction of Stephen Fletcher.

Willy Russell holds a special place in the hearts of Liverpool’s artistic community. With an incredible career that spans decades, Russell’s association with the Everyman dates back to his breakthrough as a writer with productions like John Paul George Ringo… & Bert in 1974.

His return to the Everyman in 1986 saw the birth of the iconic Shirley Valentine, a play that has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.

Willy Russell said: 

“I’m delighted to be back at the Everyman, a theatre that holds a special place in my heart. As it has done for so many writers, actors and directors in its 60-year history, the Everyman gave me my first opportunities as a writer. I can’t wait to work with Helen and Stephen on bringing the play back home and seeing Shirley strut her stuff across the boards on which she was born.”

Mark Da Vanzo, CEO for the theatres added: 

“Bringing Willy’s celebrated Shirley home is the perfect end to our 60th birthday year. It’s huge honour for us all to be working again with Willy after our revival of Educating Rita in 2015, and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not just the Everyman’s past but look confidently to its future as well.”

Shirley Valentine is a life-affirming story of one woman’s journey of self-discovery, laughter, and liberation. Shirley once had a zest for life, but at 42 is left with an empty nest, an emotionally distant husband and only ‘the wall’ for company. When her best friend offers the trip of a lifetime to Greece, can Shirley’s dreams of a life less ordinary finally come true? 

Millions have seen the movie, now see the one-woman tour de force on which the film was based. 

Shirley Valentine will be on General Sale from midday on Wednesday 1 May (Priority Booking from midday on Friday 26 April), with tickets priced from £10 to £40. A programme of accessible performances and extra events are to be announced in July. 

For more info on Shirley Valentine go to the Everyman and Playhouse website here.