Coltishall actor Loraine Metcalfe is performing a one-woman Shirley Valentine show at Sheringham Little Theatre this summer. Here, she explains how it will be a ‘thank you’ fundraiser for the venue which helped her turn her life around when her own personal story looked set to echo Shirley’s
Downtrodden housewife Shirley Valentine is a ‘rom com’ icon who has inspired countless women to rebuild their lives. And for North Norfolk actor Loraine Metcalfe – who is preparing to play her for the fifth time – it is her favourite role because she once was that woman in real life. Loraine is giving her services to the Sheringham Little Theatre for free to reprise the role in a June fundraiser show for a venue that played a key part in turning her life around.
The Shirley story sees her escape her boredom in Liverpool to find adventure, and romance, on a Greek island. Loraine, from Coltishall, says: ‘I was on the verge of going abroad to escape some difficult times just like Shirley. But I was offered the chance to play her on stage instead at the Little Theatre.
‘The people here, including director Debbie Thompson who invited me, were so supportive. It helped me get back on track, and I also moved here eight years ago as a result.’
The trained actor has also remarried and launched a wedding décor business. ‘The Little Theatre has a big place in my heart for helping rebuild my life, so I am thrilled to help it with this fundraiser,’ adds Loraine, who is being directed by Debbie’s daughter Katie.
‘Playing Shirley in a one-woman show can be pretty daunting but her character and story relates to so many people you soon forget the nerves as the audience come on that journey with you.
‘She is such an inspiration, not just for women whose life is in a rut, but we also get feedback from husbands in the audience who realise they need to look at themselves too.’
Loraine first played Shirley in 2004 for two events in her then hometown Ross on Wye. Twenty years later she has begun rehearsals to stage the one-woman show again at Sheringham where she also performed it during the 2006 and 2016 summer drama seasons to rave reviews.
But as she explains: ‘Shirley infers age is just a number. Adventures are still to be had, so come and join me for the excitement of jumping off her roof!’
Shirley Valentine runs from Thursday June 27 to Saturday June 29 at 7.30pm, plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee, at Sheringham Little Theatre. Tickets are £16 from sheringhamlittletheatre.com or the box office on 01263 822347.
Absolutely fantastic performance of ‘Shirley Valentine’ by Loraine Metcalfe last night (Thursday 27th June) at the Sheringham little theatre.
We will definitely be back for her next role at SLT.