An acclaimed new production of Willy Russell’s iconic one-woman show Shirley Valentine will jet into Blackpool Grand Theatre this April starring TV favourite Mina Anwar (The Thin Blue Line, The Worst Witch, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)

It’s Shirley as you’ve never seen her before! You’d be a fool to miss it…

Willy Russell’s beloved romantic comedy SHIRLEY VALENTINE is back at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 1 April to Saturday 5 April with a new Lancashire accent starring top TV and stage actress star MINA ANWAR (The Thin Blue Line, The Worst Witch, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie).

This acclaimed new production from Octagon Theatre Bolton has been cleverly reset in Lancashire at the request of the acclaimed actress and tells the heart-warming and hilarious tale of downtrodden housewife Shirley who leaves her troubles (and husband) behind to seek adventure on a sun-soaked Greek holiday.

Shirley Valentine is stuck in a rut and is wondering what has happened to her life. Then one day she puts a note on the kitchen table and heads to the sunshine to rediscover herself. Soon she meets a charming new friend and rediscovers an old one…

‘I have allowed myself to lead this little life, when inside me there was so much more’ – Shirley Valentine

Renowned playwright, composer and lyricist Willy Russell first wrote Shirley Valentine for the stage in 1986 following the huge success of his previous productions Educating Rita and Blood Brothers. Shirley opened that year at The Everyman Theatre Liverpool before enjoying a smash hit West End run starring Pauline Collins, which earned Olivier Awards for both its author (Comedy of the Year) and star (Actress of the Year in a New Play). The popular play then transferred to Broadway where Collins also received a Best Actress Tony Award. This poignant play of self-discovery was also adapted to great acclaim for the big screen in the 1989 Oscar nominated film, again starring Pauline Collins alongside Tom Conti.

“I wrote the line ‘I like a glass of wine when I’m doin’ the cooking” Then Shirley turned around and glancing at it, said “Don’t I, wall?” At that moment the play was born.” – Willy Russell.

With special permission from Willy Russell, this version has been expertly reset by the celebrated actress Mina Anwar from its original setting of Liverpool to Accrington in Lancashire. Mina Anwar’s many credits include her breakthrough TV role as PC Maggie Habib in both seasons of BBC One’s sitcom The Thin Blue Line. She also originated the role of Ray in the acclaimed musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End. Other credits include Coronation Street, Shameless, BBC’s The Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who, The Book Thief and Spring and Port Wine.

The full creative team includes Lotte Wakeham (director); Su Newell (set and costume designer); James Blakeman (lighting designer); Gerry Marsden (sound designer); Mina Anwar (resetting) and Fraser Scott (assistant director).

Shirley Valentine director and Octagon Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham, said of this exciting adaptation: “We’re absolutely delighted to bring Shirley Valentine back to audiences across Lancashire in 2025. We had an overwhelming response and sellout performances when we opened a previous version of this production at Bolton’s Library Theatre in February 2020. I’m so grateful to Willy Russell for once again allowing us to reset the piece to Lancashire, to give it an even more local feel for our audiences. There’s also a brilliant new set design, and of course, I’m also delighted to welcome Mina back – she brings such warmth, charm, humour and relatability to Shirley, and I’m excited for audiences to fall in love with this character all over again.”

Catch this ‘one-woman tour-de-force’ while you can!

Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine starring Mina Anwar (The Thin Blue Line, The Worst Witch, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 1 April to Saturday 5 April with matinee and evening performances.

Audio Described/BSL performance on Saturday 5 April at 2.30pm.

Tickets from £15 with concessions for 1894 Club members and Friends of The Grand. Group rates also available.

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.