NEWS RELEASE
4THWALL PRODUCTIONS
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Two Jennifers, one Shirley Valentine
Timeless comedy returns to the stage in April
FERGUS - The timeless, one-woman comedy Shirley Valentine takes the stage at Fergus Grand Theatre, April 26 to 30, with two accomplished local actors named Jennifer sharing one title role.
Jennifer Cornish and Jennifer Barson will alternate performances as Shirley, offering audiences two different takes on a classic tale.
In the celebrated play by Willy Russell (Blood Brothers, Educating Rita), Shirley breaks free from her life of ‘talking to the wall’ and follows a path of self-discovery all the way to the Greek islands.
On the journey, Shirley meets a host of comical characters, all played by one actor on stage.
“The script is so deliciously written,” notes director Trevor Smith Diggins. “It’s very funny, at times quite touching, and also very cheeky. It’s a story about being true to yourself and overcoming those bumps in the road that can get in the way of your dreams.”
Shirley Valentine won the Laurence Olivier Award for best play in 1988, followed by a best-actress Tony award for Pauline Collins and an Oscar nomination for the movie based on Russell’s play.
This production marks the return of Shirley Valentine to Fergus Grand Theatre.
The show was first produced there by Guelph-based 4thWall Productions in 1995 starring Veronica Punnett as Shirley, also directed by Smith Diggins.
The show was an audience favourite and sold out every performance.
This production is being restaged as a tribute to Punnett, who passed last year.
“Veronica was my inspiration to do this 20 years ago, and she still is,” said Smith Diggins, noting that theatre is very much a team effort. “Behind the scenes, we have a terrific production team of local designers, technicians and theatre artists working on this project. Each of them brings another layer of theatre magic to the experience.”
Tickets are $25 for all shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day.
Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. Visit the Box Office, phone 519-787-1981, or reserve online at FergusGrandTheatre.ca.
Mature themes and language may not be suitable for young audiences.
Cast and crew details on Facebook.
Follow @4thwallP on Twitter.
Fergus Grand Theatre is located at 244 St. Andrew St. W. in Fergus, ON.
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