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Writer's pictureAlan Hulme

Shirley Valentine, woman of Lancashire

Mina Anwar as Shirley Valentine: chips and egg please, Mina
Mina Anwar as Shirley Valentine in 2020: more chips and egg please, Mina

With special permission from author Willy Russell, Bolton Octagon's revival of his mega hit comedy Shirley Valentine will again take up residence in Accrington, Lancashire, instead of her native Liverpool.

Again starring Mina Anwar (Coronation Street, Shameless, Doctor Who, The Thin Blue Line), who was Shirley in the 2020 Octagon production, the show will open in Bolton (February 7-March 8, 2025), before touring to The Dukes, Lancaster (March 12-22) and Blackpool Grand (April 1-5).

From the writer of Blood Brothers and Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine is the critically-acclaimed romantic comedy about a stuck-in-a-rut housewife who leaves her troubles (and husband) behind and seeks adventure on a holiday to Greece. A huge hit on stage, it transferred to the big screen in the 1989 Oscar- nominated film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

Director and Octagon artistic director Lotte Wakeham said: “We had an overwhelming response and sold-out performances when we opened a previous version of this production at Bolton’s Library Theatre in February 2020 during our theatre refurbishment, so we’re thrilled to be bringing it to our main auditorium at the Octagon, then out on tour.

“I’m grateful to Willy Russell for once again allowing us to move the piece to a Lancashire setting, to give it an even more local feel. There’s also a brilliant new set design, and of course I’m delighted to welcome Mina back; she brings such warmth, charm, humour and relatability to Shirley.”


More info and tickets here (Bolton), or Dukes or Blackpool

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