Shirley Valentine

Treat yourself to an evening of laugher, triumph, and a hilarious journey of rediscovery.

Norma Sheahan, one of Ireland's leading dramatic actors, returns to the Gaiety with her “sell-out performance” of Willy Russell's effervescent and iconic character SHIRLEY VALENTINE.

Meet Shirley, a 45-year-old housewife, trapped in a dreary marriage and humdrum life. As she prepares her husband’s dinner - egg and chips - Shirley wonders when she lost her hopeful, youthful self.

Feeling isolated, she resorts to full-blown (although somewhat one-sided) conversations with her bestie – her kitchen wall and dreams of excitement beyond her grim role as “St. Joan of the fitted units".

So, when an unexpected chance to travel to Greece appears, Shirley takes a leap, digs deep into her flagging confidence and discovers it’s never too late to reclaim your dreams, your joy, and yourself.

The production promises laughter, poignancy, and an unforgettable evening with one of theatre’s most iconic characters.

First performed in 1986, this production marks the 40th Anniversary of the play. Its themes of self-discovery, love, and freedom continue to resonate powerfully with audiences today. Shirley Valentine has won an Olivier Award for Best Comedy, a Tony Award for Best Play, and inspired an Oscar-nominated film.

This iconic production directed by Michael Scott starring Norma Sheahan as Shirley, returns to the Gaiety Theatre following its previous sell-out runs there.

Directed By Michael Scott
Designed By Michael McCaffery

Produced by CTD:City Theatre Dublin and Mullingar Centre for the Performing Arts

Norma Sheahan is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practice covers Theatre, TV, Film, Playwriting, Podcasting, Stand-up, Radio & Voiceovers.

Since graduating from RADA she has performed in theatres across Ireland and the UK including The Royal Court, The Abbey, The Traverse, The Gate, Westminster Theatre, Bloomsbury Theatre, The Gaiety, etc

Her favourite theatre roles were in VAGINA MONOLOGUES, The Gaiety’s CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN and SIVE, Enda Walsh’s BEDBOUND, for which she won Best Actress, and THE MATCHMAKER.

Norma’s standup comedy show IT’S WINE O’CLOCK WITH NORMA SHEAHAN has been a massive hit, from The Gaiety to Galway, Cork Opera House to Cavan, and everywhere in between.

In 2020, her sellout Comedy Tour - HEAL YOUR HOLE WITH NORMA SHEAHAN was cut short by covid, but she turned it into a hugely successful Podcast Series of the same name.

Screen work includes Graham Norton’s HOLDING, KNEECAP, HARRY WILD, FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, THE DRY, THE CLINIC, BRIDGET & EAMON, MOONEBOY, THE YOUNG OFFENDERS, DEAD STILL, DAMO & IVOR, RIPPER STREET, NEWBOY, HANDSOME DEVIL, ONDINE, A DATE FOR MAD MARY, ETC...

She has enjoyed working with Colin Farrell, Chris O’Dowd, Sharon Horgan, Steve Coogan, Paul Rudd, Jon Kenny, Neil Jordan, Domhnal Gleeson, Jane Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter, Kathy Burke, Kathy Bates, Michael Madsen, Rik Mayell, etc...

Norma has written plays for RTE Radio1 and Bewley’s Theatre, and TV sketches for RTE.

Michael Scott is a writer, composer, theatre director and international producer.

Funded by the Arts Council, he received his theatre training in Europe and has been Theatre Director of the Project Arts Centre, Programme Director of Dublin Theatre Festival, Director of the Tivoli Theatre Dublin, RHA Downstairs and SFX City Theatre. Currently Artistic Director of the City Theatre Dublin,

His productions and music have been seen in Ireland, England, Germany, the USA, Iceland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and France, and on the WWW.

As Author & Director: Plays & adaptations include Dracula, With Christopher Nolan Torchlight And Laser Beams for the Dublin and Edinburgh Theatre Festivals. Dracula (RHA & Tivoli), Brendan Behans' The Hostage (An Giall) with Niall Tobin, Fragments Of Isabella with Gabrielle Reidy for stage and film. Those Three Days (Pro-Cathedral Dublin & Divis-Cathedral-Belfast) with Stephen Vernon, The Agamemnon (Red Kettle), and The Yellow Man (with Pauline Bewick). In 2019 his play The Valley Of The Squinting Windows was a complete sell out receiving an Irish Times Theatre Nomination, moving after Coving to the Gaiety Theatre, and again selling our totally two years in succession.

He was funded by the Arts Council / to create a new choral setting for The Song of Amergin and is also commissioned by Mullingar Centre for the Performing Arts, to create a two new works for the theatre.

His music is available on all digital platforms.

Willy Russell’s career spans more than four decades; born in Liverpool in 1947, he left school at 15, became a women’s hairdresser, part-time singer/songwriter before returning to education and becoming a teacher.