Sheridan Smith to star as Shirley Valentine on stage

12 December 2022 | By Vandana Lohia

Sheridan Smith, a British icon, actress and singer, has recently been announced to star in Willy Russel's one-woman show Shirley Valentine. Lauded as “The Greatest Theatre Star of her Generation” by The Evening Standard, Sheridan Smith is easily the best choice to play the strong-willed Liverpudlian lass. Shirley Valentine will open at the Duke of York's Theatre in early 2023. The recently announced play has already extended its run by three weeks due to the overwhelmingly positive response. So, book your tickets to witness Shirley Valentine on stage while you still can!

About Shirley Valentine: The Story, The Journey & The West End Revival 

Shirley Valentine is the eponymous heroine of the one-woman show, a comedy about a middle-aged, working-class housewife from Liverpool who dreams of another more exciting life. Shirley feels stuck in time and longs for the days of her youth when she felt liberated but are now long gone. Her wish finally comes true when she goes on holiday with a friend. While heading for a scenic getaway to Greece, she soon rediscovers all that was missing from her life in England.

36 years ago, Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine was first performed with Pauline Collins as the lead in the West End production at the Vaudeville Theatre. Collins not only won the Best Actress Olivier Award but also won the Best Actress Tony Award when she played the iconic role on Broadway. The movie version of the play was also a huge hit. The revival will have a new feminist twist, but will still be true to Willy Russell’s original play. Shirley Valentine on stage is one play that you just cannot afford to miss. Book Shirley Valentine West End tickets now.

About Sheridan Smith & her impact on the entertainment industry

Sheridan Smith has worked and created a name for herself in theatre, film and television for over a decade. For her contributions to the entertainment industry, she was awarded an OBE. The actress and singer first became famous for her work on sitcoms. Smith’s first television appearance was in 1999 when she played the character of Matilda in the comedy series Dark Ages on ITV. She later gained recognition for her roles in series such as Gavin and Stacey and The Royle Family. Many of Smith's performances have been acclaimed by critics including Cilla, Mrs Biggs, The C Word, Black Work and The Moorside. After Smith's impressive vocal performance in Cilla, she later released her first album, Sheridan. The record was awarded Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for selling over 100,000 copies and also reached the top 10 of the UK album charts.

Smith's first theatre performance was Into the Woods as Red Riding Hood. Her sensational role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde won her an Olivier Award and a WhatsOnStage Award. Don't miss your chance to witness the gifted Sheridan Smith play Shirley Valentine on stage.