“Shirley Valentine”by Willy Russell Source Presented by Roxanne, Vanessa & Jasmine Willy Russell (1947- ) - He was born in 1947 at Shiston near Liverpool, England. - At fifteen he left with little idea of what he wanted to do beyond a vague notion of wanting to become a writer. - He decided to become a dramatist while he was at St. Catherine's College of Education. - He was well into his adult years before his interest in learning and he began attending night classes. (source) was released in 2003. has been translated into 15 languages and is currently being adapted for a major television series.The first play.. published in 2000. The Wrong Boy.The first novel. “Hoovering The Moon”. Keep Yours Eyes Down. .The first music album. spotlighting Russell's musical talent that has been overshadowed for years by his literary skills. . . (source) Willy at Galway Arts Festival performing songs from his album HOOVERING THE MOON with Tim Firth (at the piano). was taken by the college drama group to the Edinburgh Fringe in 1971. ) .SAM O'SHANKER (reworked musical version of this play ) .Time line 1971. set in a factory. PLAYGROUND 1973.) .SAM O'SHANKER .TAM LIN .When The Reds (produced at the Everyman Theatre.Keep Your Eyes Down (The first play) 1972.King of The Castle (his first play for BBCTV. Educating Rita .Blood Brothers… 1976.Death of A Young Man (BBC Birmingham Play for Today ) .Lies 1978.John Paul George Ringo and Bert .Our Day Out … 1977.1974.Break In 1975.Stages and Hens 1980.One Summer . Blood Brothers (Non-musical schools version) 1986.Shirley Valentine (Opens at the Liverpool Everyman Theater) 1987.The film was released .Russell began writing the screenplay for Shirley Valentine 1988. 1981.Stage play opened at London's Vaudeville Theatre 1989.Educating Rita (screenplay) . “Words On The Run” 1996.Hoovering The Moon . 1993.“Shirley Valentine” (opens at the Liverpool Playhouse) 1995.“Terraces” (broadcast by BBC Schools Television) 2000.“Our Day Out” (stage version at Belgrade Theatre Coventry) 1997.In Other Words .Wrong Boy (the first novel from Willy Russell ) 2004. R. Foundation Award to stage new writing at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival.the world’s largest arts festival. THE SINGING PLAYWRIGHTS The musical show. THE W. (source) John Moores University presents Willy Russell with an Honorary Fellowship . R. moves on to Edinburgh for a twelve date season as part of the internationally famous Edinburgh Festival . FOUNDATION AWARD Willy Russell in collaboration with Tim Firth sets up the W. .the citation was made by Pauline Collins. created and polished by Willy and Tim Firth. Educating Rita 1981.Willy Russell’s best known plays 1980.Shirley Valentine The major characters in these plays struggle to overcome their entrapment in spiritually stifling working class environments.Musical “Blood Brothers” 1986. . middle row..first left on the front row.Rainford School: Spot Willy Russell and the original Shirley Valentine. Shirley Valentine (now Shirley Lavender) seventh from the left. . Willy Russell .. .Shirley Valentine One woman’s monologue. Women exhibit strength and determination both behind the scenes and center stage. The film: BAFTAS Best Actress Best Screenplay OSCAR Nominated Best Actress GOLDEN GLOBE Nominated UK Awards: OLIVIERS Best Comedy Best Actress SWET Best Actress Best Actress (Source) . A woman's journey to her inner freedom (Source) . but she hesitated. Jane’s invited Shirley to go to Greece with her for fortnight. Shirley feels that she will have nowhere to go if she goes to Greece. After Marjorie leaves.Summary Act One / Scene One Shirley talks to the wall in their kitchen about her family and friend Jane when she is preparing evening meal. . Accidentally. Shirley runs into her old classmate Marjorie. on the way home. her daughter Millandra comes home and Shirley tells her about her trip to Greece. Shirley wants to give up. Millandra thinks that is a disgrace and leaves home. Because of Millandra’s reaction.Act One/ Scene Two Shirley has got everything ready for her traveling. Shirley is going to Greece. . But a beautiful robe from Gillian changes her mind. Suddenly. On the day Shirley and Jane have to go back. Shirley talks to a rock about why she is alone but not lonely. and Costas makes it. Shirley decides to stay in Greece.Act Two/ Scene One In Greece. She asks him if he can move the table and chair to the sea to fulfill her dream. Next day. What happens next? . she goes to a bar and meets Costas. Costas and Shirley go boating around the island and they have sex. One evening. a 42-year-old mother and housewife .a wonder woman of observation and recall .feeling trapped in her barebones row house kitchen .Characters Shirley: .rediscovers herself on a Greek island . Like his tea always has to be on the table…” (P2.Joe: . …y’ can forget it.a prosaic.chief external obstacle to S’s change “I’m not goin’ to Greece. L5 bottom) . if that’s what I’m not getting fed properly.image of the inertia (imprisons himself & S) “…he likes everything to be as it’s always been. L20) .” (P17. hidebound husband . ” (P3 L25) Gillian: .Shirley’s neighbor Marjorie: .a young woman of uncertain ambitions Brain: .an aspiring busker poet Jane: .high school friend .Millandra: .best friend “…found her husband in bed with the milkman. is no problem..the helmsman of S’s voyage of liberation . a dream.a womanizer “A dream.a semi-professional romantic .a seductive Greek tavern owner . Then. Costas: .. We move this table to the edge of the sea. it makes your dream come true?.” (P29 L12 bottom) . ” (P11. L2) . Girlhood: . I wanted to be nice.a teacher thinks little of her abilities “You must have been told that answer!” (P11. I didn’t want to be a rebel. The only thing I hated was me.Shirley Valentine The development of her personality I. L16) .true self is squelched (became a rebel) “But I didn’t hate anythin’ y’ know. Housewifehood: . I’m frightened of life beyond the wall.” (P22. Unafraid.” (P14.I’m gonna try anything.II. An’ I’m frightened. L9 bottom) .early marriage (no-expectations housewifehood) “…I’ve been talkin’ to the wall for more years than I care to remember now. Without fear of anythin’ new. L6 bottom) .decides to go Greece (a fragment of her life) “…I’m going to the land beyond the wall…. Like I used to. Shirley The Sensational! Shirley The Brave! The first turning point! Shirley Bradshaw Shirley Valentine (22) When does the second one occur? And How? . that person wants to be you. .Shirley & Marjorie /Shirley & Gillian Do you find similar experience in life? While you wish to be somebody else. routine household chores .trapped in the banal space .Setting two contrasting locations transformation of the central character’s life Act I: Liverpool. sunless (gloomy) Kitchen .center of S’s circumscribed world .industrial city.silent partner (frustrating life) .arena of S’s growing discontent . the sea.Mediterranean sun. romantic dream Beach. .Setting Act II: Greece .village and tavern .a site of pleasure and self-indulgence . true self ) Self emancipation triggers visual transformation external expression of the change in S.self-searching/ Greek-awakening .inner freedom (nature. --She hopes to recapture the excitement and free spirit of her single days as Shirley Valentine. meaning and freedom in life.Theme Quest for happiness. . Questions 1. Why does this play have only one character? Does this have anything to do with the central theme? 4. Do you agree with Shirley's choice in leaving home and her husband and staying in Greece? Why or why not? Justify your reasons with examples from the text. What is the most important factor in Shirley's decision to stay in Greece? 3. Do you think Joe will join Shirley in Greece? 2. . ” The official-unofficial web. “Willyrussell.com/review/VE1117927971?categoryid=33&cs=1>. 1-36. “Willy Russell.asp?id=4470>.html>.com. Ditkoff.com.html>. Baltimore City Paper:2006.” Variety.htm>. “The Public Theatre:Jan. Francis.thepublictheatre. 21 May 2006 <http://www. Martinez. Nov.com/arts/story. “SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell. Russell.” Citypaperonline:The Art.htm>. 21 May 2006 <http://www. 2003.org/guides/ 9697_shirley_valentine. “NZ Herald Review of Shirley Valentine:Shirley Valentine at The Pumphouse”.” 21 May 2006 <http://www. Julio. Anna.nada.variety.willyrussell.student.com.Works Cited Andrucki.com/page1intro. 9. 21 May 2006 <http://citypaper.washingtonpost. “Shirley Valentine. 23. Till. London: Methuen. 21 May 2006 <http://www.se/~d97-ask/blood/Willy/willy.site delicate to Willy Russell.realtheatre. “Diary of a Mad Housewife: Vagabond's Shirley Valentine Is Full of Charm.co. 21 May 2006 <http://www. Martin.htm>.nz /Reviews/Reviews. 2005 21 May 2006 <http://www. Shirley Valentine. “Reviews-Shirley Valentine. The Real Theatre Company Ltd: Bringing Professional Theatre to the North Shore. Shirley Valentine and One for the Road. . 1988.kth. Aug.” Washingtonpost. Willy. 1997. Joe. Brown.com/wpsrv/style/longterm/movies/videos/ shirleyvalentinerbrown_a0adae.