"It would be easy to dismiss this play as old fashioned and sentimental, but that would be to ignore the genuine heart within the play: it is the warmth of Smith that grabs you and stays with you long after you leave the theatre."
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“Matthew Dunster’s unfussy production knows that this is the Sheridan show, and allows her performance to take centre stage...What we are really here to see, though, is a performer of rare gifts at the top of her game.”
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“[The] ability to connect instantly and deeply with an audience ... pays remarkable dividends, overriding the hoary sections of the text and honoring the rest with a dignity ‘Shirley’ herself deserves.”
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“This is an expert revival, blessed with a true star performance, alive to every aspect of ‘Shirley Valentine’, from its big heart to its troubled soul.”
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“On the evidence of the performance I saw, which prompted a standing ovation, a star has been reborn. If we loved Smith before, we’re going to fall in love with her all over again.”
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“It is comic and hopeful and, in Smith’s gloriously vulnerable hands, sure to be a hit all over again.”
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“Here’s a perfect match between a star and a comfy but creaky star vehicle. Sheridan Smith has great warmth, impeccable timing and a rare ability to connect with an audience as an equal.”
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“If I had to choose between spending a couple of hours with ‘Shirley’ or with her grander rivals, I’d happily opt for her homespun kitchen wisdom.”
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