Willy Russell

Shirley Valentine review

Sheridan Smith's glorious return to the West End.

Shirley Valentine review

Sheridan Smith casts a spell in this endearing, if dated, one-woman play.

Shirley Valentine review

It's rare to feel that everyone around you is able to find something in the play that speaks to them, but that happened in this theatre.

Educating Rita to be staged outdoors this summer

Outdoor theatre will return to the Minack Theatre this summer.

Willy Russell's hit play Educating Rita, about a university student and tutor who improve each others' lives, will be presented at the venue with social distancing from 18 to 29 August.

The production was on a UK tour when the Government closed theatres, with this new run able to get actors and creatives back in action despite indoor venues being unable to reopen at the moment. It will star Stephen Tompkinson as Frank and Jessica Johnson as Rita and is directed by Max Roberts.

"She can wrench your heart open - and then have you piddling yourself laughing the next moment," says playwright Willy Russell, whose Educating Rita helped make Julie Walters an authentic national treasure. In this warm tribute, fellow actors pay homage to Dame Two-Soups.

Meera Syal's funny Valentine

The Asian comedian and writer is taking on the title role in Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine, and doing it in Scouse.