Has anybody seen the stage version??
I love this film, but I heard it was orignally a play - has anyone ever seen it on stage, and if so, what's it like?
'Come and Get It!' - Betty White
Just thought I'd let you know how extraordinary the stage version is... and especially considering it was written by a bloke. It is a one-woman show, as well... there is no supporting cast like in the movie. It is wonderful, funny, and heart-warming... mind you, I still think Pauline Collins set the bar for all actresses who follow playing the role of "Shirley".
Well worth seeing this if you ever get the chance!
Brilliant. Do you mean that it is all just a monologue, just the actress playing Shirley and no other actor. Wow. So howz it done, or do I misunderstand.
'Come and Get It!' - Betty White
I've not seen the stage version, but I have read it. It takes the form of a monologue delivered by Shirley. The first act is set in her kitchen; the second is set on the beach in Greece. The early sections of the film, when she is talking directly to the camera while making the "tea", are taken directly from the play.
This is by far the best play Willy Russell has written. In some of his other stuff, he can seem a bit patronizing or condescending towards his characters. I think Educating Rita suffers from that a bit, although it remains entertaining.
I've seen Our Day Out, a comedy (with a few musical numbers thrown in) about a school trip, on the stage at least twice. Pretty good fun.
Brilliant. Thanx very much. I did Our Day Out at school, I'd be interested to see it on stage, I've seen the film though.
'Come and Get It!' - Betty White
"So howz it done"
Very cleverly basically. All the other characters and their actions or part in the story have already occured at the time Shirley speaks of them (each scene takes place a certain amount of hours after the other though, so it goes from Shirley deciding to go to Greece to Shirley in her kitchen with her bags packed telling us about her conversation with Jane) and Shirley talks about the cpnversation she had with that character and changes her voice to show when it's that character talking (when I last saw it, the woman playing Shirley did a brilliant Costa!)
By the way, I know Victoria's Secret: She's a slut!
Thanks - so basically its one actress doing an epic monologue?? Pretty cool. Are there any others actors beside the one playing Shirley - is Costas in it?
'Shayne, I've got something for you - its warm, its lovely and it smells nice' - Sharon Osbourne
No, it's just one owman. Shirley provides Costas' voice during the monologue.
By the way, I know Victoria's Secret: She's a slut!
Oh wow - I've never actually heard of a play like that before. It must be nerve racking for the actress - being the only cast member. Thanks for your help!
'Shayne, I've got something for you - its warm, its lovely and it smells nice' - Sharon Osbourne
I've never actually heard of a play like that before.
I can think of two one-person plays off-hand.
The Belle of Amherst, about the life of poet Emily Dickinson. The entire show takes place in Dickinson's living room, with Dickinson sitting down or milling about the stage, recounting her life story to the audience. Julie Harris won the 1977 Tony Award for her astounding performance.
Tru, about the life of writer Truman Capote. The entire show takes place in Capote's NYC apartment, and it's very similar to The Belle of Amherst, with Capote moving about the stage, addressing the audience. Robert Morse won the 1990 Tony for his performance, and later won the 1993 Emmy when the play was televised on TV.
Pauline Collins also won the Tony for Best Actress in a Play, when Shirley Valentine transferred to Broadway in 1989.
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Thanks for that.
I posted this back in 2006 - when I was still a teenager - and am pleased to say my knowledge on theatre has grown immensely since then. I've seen several one-man-shows as well :)
But I appreciate you giving me some examples.
"Your times over, *beep*. We're cummin to get ya".