Birr Stage Guild presents Shirley Valentine

When March 2020 hit, Birr Stage Guild were in the middle of their run of 'The Hired Man' the musical. Little did they think it would be another 18 months until they would grace the stage again with another exciting production but here they are bursting onto the stage again with Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine!

Shirley Valentine is a bored, middle-aged housewife, trapped in a stale, loveless marriage. Her children are all grown up and she frequently talks to the wall in the kitchen, while preparing her husband's regular evening meal of egg and chips. When her best friend asks her to join her on a 2 week trip to Greece, she jumps on the chance with a mix of exhilaration and jittery nerves. Leaving a note for her husband that simply reads 'Gone to Greece- back in 2 weeks', Shirley leaves on her holiday. What happens next is life-changing for Shirley...

Shirley Valentine is directed by Adrian Shine who has directed many plays in the past for Birr Stage Guild. He has been passionate about this project for over a year and is delighted to see it finally reaching the stage. Heather Colohan has the pleasure of playing Shirley, a daunting task to some to present a one-woman show on stage for the full production but Heather is relishing the part. She says of it: "It's a play with a rollercoaster of emotions that will carry the audience along with Shirley. I want to thank everyone for supporting me and Birr Stage Guild including Adrian Shine my director for all his patience and belief, also Shanna Kenny our Stage Manager for keeping me on my toes."

Shirley Valentine runs in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre for three nights only on November 4 to November 6 at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.birrtheatre.com or 0579122911.