Shirley Valentine, One Night Only - Let loose for a night of love and laughter

Norma Sheahan, one of Ireland’s leading dramatic actors, returns to the Lime Tree with her “sell-out performance” of Willy Russell’s effervescent and iconic character Shirley Valentine.

“I love performing at the Lime Tree. I’ve done The Matchmaker and Angela’s Ashes here also. Shirley Valentine is a dream role that fills the soul, and the writer has made some changes to set the story in Munster for me.”

Meet Shirley, a 45-year-old housewife, trapped in a dreary marriage and humdrum life. As she prepares her husband’s dinner – egg and chips – Shirley wonders when she lost her hopeful, youthful self.

Feeling isolated, she resorts to full-blown (although somewhat one-sided) conversations with her kitchen wall and dreams of excitement beyond her grim role as “St. Joan of the fitted units”.

So, when an unexpected chance to travel to Greece appears, Shirley takes a leap, digs deep into her flagging confidence and discovers it’s never too late to reclaim your dreams, your joy, and yourself.

"Shirley Valentine is so relatable for me because the character reignites the spark she had before marriage and kids, and she starts living life to the max again.

"I think it’s so important to keep to craic levels high to stay youthful. I find that men and women of all ages are moved by Shirley's message to get busy living or get busy dying."

Shirley Valentine was first performed in 1986, this production marks the 40th Anniversary of the play. The Lime Tree is part of its nationwide tour which includes a week in The Gaiety Theatre Dublin.

Shirley Valentine has won an Olivier Award for Best Comedy, a Tony Award for Best Play, and inspired an Oscar-nominated film.

So stop talking to the wall and treat yourself to a hilarious night of triumph and rediscovery.

Shirley Valentine
Starring Norma Sheahan
Directed by Michael Scott
April 17
Lime Tree Theatre Limerick
One night only!

*Sponsored Content