by Tony Annicone
Little Rhody Entertainment Writer
The 231st production of the 82nd
season of Walpole Footlighters is Willy Russell's comedy
"Shirley Valentine". Inside Mrs. Joe Bradshaw, a 42 year
old mother of two grown children, is the former Shirley
Valentine longing to get out. Her schoolgirl dreams have
faded and she is reduced to talking to the kitchen wall
while preparing her husband's evening meal. It is to be
on the table at the same time every night as he opens
the front door. Her feminist friend offers her a holiday
to Greece, and with great trepidation, Shirley seizes
the opportunity and goes, to encounter a totally new
lifestyle there. This one person show contains humor,
pathos, warm sympathy and human insight. It contains a
tour de force performance by Marianne Phinney in the
title role, keeping you entertained all night long.
The show takes place in two acts.
The first is set in the kitchen of a home in Liverpool,
England while the second is set on a secluded Greek
island with a tavern nearby. In the first act Shirley
tells the problems of her life to the kitchen wall while
drinking a glass of wine and in the second scene of the
first act, she explains to the wall that she has decided
to take the trip without telling her husband while
running around getting ready to leave. The second act
reveals how Shirley has become a carefree spirit again,
recapturing her long lost youth. Marianne runs the gamut
of emotions in this role and keeps your attention during
this 86 page show. She is brilliant in this role, making
this a must see show with its funny and poignant
moments. Directed by Pat Hainsworth with set design by
Dan Sheehan and lighting design by Shirley Cowles.
Everything meshes together with two beautiful sets and
some wonderful mood lighting to reflect the various
moods of Shirley. Pat keeps the show moving from scene
to scene and never lets the action lag. So for a
powerhouse one woman show, be sure to catch "Shirley
Valentine" in Walpole. Tell them Tony sent you.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE ( 12 - 28
August, 2005)
Walpole Footlighters, 5 Scout Road, Walpole, MA
1 (508) 668-8446 or
www.footlighters.com
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