THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 11, 1995 TAG: 9501100216
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Marlene Ford
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The one-woman drama, ``Shirley Valentine,'' is about a part of society we take for granted, according to director Bentley Anderson.
``I think this is a kind of overlooked, potential protagonist - the middle-age housewife,'' he said.
``Shirley Valentine,'' by Willy Russell, and starring Shirley Hurd, is opening at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach at 8 p.m. Friday. It continues with 8 p.m. performances on Saturday, again on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 and at 3 p.m. Sunday Jan. 15 and 22.
Whether it's a character-type that's been taken for granted or overlooked, ``Shirley Valentine'' the play hasn't. Humorous and insightful it first delighted British audiences, then Broadway theater-goers, then continued it's charm in a film starring Pauline Collins.
The play is set in the kitchen of Mrs. Joe Bradshaw, a middle-age Liverpool housewife who is so bored she's reduced to talking to the wall. Married to a dull, demanding husband, she feels that life has passed her by. But life changes when she is offered the opportunity for a holiday in Greece with her feminist girlfriend.
Anderson said, ``It's in line with Medea, Lady MacBeth and Hedda Gabler. It's another great woman's role written by a man.''
The playwright is also author of ``Educating Rita'' and the musical, ``Blood Brothers,'' now on Broadway.
Hurd added that it's also an optimistic play. ``Willy Russell plays are optimistic. You come out feeling that something good will come out of it. That life will be better for her and maybe even her husband.''
Hurd is known throughout the area for her professional and community theater involvement. She is also a member of the ODU Shakespeare Ensemble and along with her husband and director, Anderson, gives poetry readings.
In addition to performing this real tour de force role, Hurd said, ``It also gives me an opportunity to use my Liverpool dialect. I was raised in Liverpool, but it's still not always easy to maintain the rhythm.''
Tickets are $8 general admission; $6 senior citizens, students and matinees. For reservations, call 428-9233. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Local actress Shirley Hurd has the title role as "Shirley
Valentine"
by CNB