Shirley Valentine, Derby Playhouse till 28th Feb

Derby

SHIRLEY VALENTINE
by Willy Russell

Derby Playhouse: To 28 February 2004
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 11,14,19,21 February 2.30pm
Audio-described 21 February 2.30pm, 25 February
BSL Signed 21 February 2.30pm, 26 February
Backchat 26 February
Runs 2hr 30min One interval

TICKETS: 01332 363275
Review: Jan Pick 5 February

A skilful blend of humour and wry observation attractively packaged and presented.
Confronted by the appetising smell of chips sizzling in a deep fat fryer it occurred to this starving critic that it is always brave to cook on stage quite apart from the audience being cruelly tantalised by the smell. A myriad of things can go wrong; in this case the fat might catch fire or the eggs misbehave! Hilary Tones rose magnificently to the challenge as a packed house responded appreciatively to the production of Shirley Valentine on Thursday night.

Sensitively directed by Uzma Hameed, Tones delivered an excellent and well-judged performance as the eponymous heroine, sharing with her kitchen wall, a Greek rock and her audience the dreams and frustrations of the Liverpool housewife in search of her lost life and self, and ably demonstrating that this play is still as fresh, relevant and witty as it was on its first outing in 1986.

One actor and an excellent script could be seen by theatres as a cheap option. Derby Playhouse obviously do not subscribe to this thesis. The set was beautifully and imaginatively designed by Leslie Travers, with a full working kitchen I was jealous and, in Act 2, a Greek island conjured from two rocks, a table, two chairs, a magnificent curling blue wave and a large, angled postcard backdrop, whose small houses and blue skies twinkled with lights and stars as dusk settled over the resort.

The mood of the moment was enhanced by the musical accompaniment of Nigel Woodhouse, the only other person on stage, and by Chris Davey's subtle and effective lighting. As we were skilfully introduced to a kaleidoscope of characters from Shirley's life they became real a tribute to Tones' ability to draw us into the internal musings of Shirley, enmeshed in domesticity and boredom, understand her frustrations and rejoice with her as she broke free and finally found her soul.

Along the way there were a lorra, lorra laughs and a wry recognition of the reality of lives. The appreciation was well earned and much deserved. I drove home to a glass of white wine and a plate of chips!

Shirley Valentine: Hilary Tones
Musician: Nigel Woodhouse

Director: Uzma Hameed
Designer: Leslie Travers
Lighting: Chris Davey
Sound: Kay Basson
Original Music/Arrangements: Nigel Woodhouse

2004-02-08 13:26:46