Celebrating 150 years, the Gaiety Theatre Dublin, will reopen it's doors again this October to theatregoers with Willie Russell's hilarious comedy Shirley Valentine, starring Norma Sheahan. This will be the first show with a 60% capacity.
Treat yourself to an evening of laugher, fun and triumph! The Gaiety Theatre are delighted to welcome back Norma Sheahan, one of Ireland’s award winning, leading dramatic actors, to breathe new life into Willie Russell’s effervescent and iconic character, Shirley Valentine.
The Production will be directed By Michael Scott and designed By Michael McCaffery.
Meet Shirley, a 45-year-old housewife. Trapped in a dreary marriage and humdrum life, Shirley wonders when she lost her hopeful, youthful self, isolated and lonely, she has now resorted to full-blown (although somewhat one-sided) conversations with her kitchen wall.
A woman alone, with no support from her demanding husband, her snooty neighbour, or self-absorbed "flown the nest children" Shirley seeks adventures away from her role as “St. Joan of the fitted units”. So, when a divorced friend asks her to go on a two-week vacation to Greece, Shirley, bravely gathers what remains of her dignity, digs deep into her flagging confidence, and begins a humorous and uplifting voyage of rediscovery.
Shirley with ever-opening eyes, begins to see the world, and herself, in a different light… but will she ever return to her dismal kitchen?
For those who may be unfamiliar with Norma, she is a multi-disciplinary award winning, actress and artist whose practice covers Playwriting, Theatre, Television, Radio, Cinema, Podcasting & Stand-up. Since graduating from RADA, she has worked on stage, screen & radio for 20 years, including The Abbey, The Royal Court London, RTE, the Gaiety Theatre, & venues all across Ireland.
Recently she has been filming on the new adaption of Graham Norton's HOLDING, and has also recently worked with the Jane Seymour, Rik Mayell, Colin Farrell, Paul Rudd, Sharon Horgan, Steve Coogan & Neil Jordan. Norma is part of the main cast of the TV series Bridget & Eamonn also appearing in the RTE series Dead Still. Other noted TV includes Moone Boy, Primeval, Foyle’s War, Ripper Street, Women On The Verge and Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope. Recent theatre includes The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Gaiety Theatre and Angela’s Ashes on stage and screen.
Her comedy tour of Heal Your Hole was halted by Covid, so she turned it into a hugely successful podcast series now in its 75th episode, it is available on all digital media.
Tickets for Shirley Valentine start from €20 (including restoration fee) and are on sale Friday, September 17 from https://www.ticketmaster.ie/
Slán go fóill,
Danny