Shirley Valentine Starring Sheridan Smith is Making Record Profits in London's West End
by Best of Theatre Staff on Tuesday 18 April 2023, 11:45 am in West End News & Gossip
The West End production of Willy Russell’s award-winning comedy Shirley Valentine starring Sheridan Smith has recouped its production costs in record time. The production is also thrilled to release new production images today.
David Pugh, the Olivier and Tony award-winning producer said, “I’m delighted with this incredible success that Sheridan is having in Willy Russell’s wonderful play. As a theatre producer, we are nothing without our theatrical angels (investors) and these last few years have been tough, as they have been for many people, so this success in the West End should be heralded from the rooftops of the theatre.”
David Pugh has always championed low tickets prices which keeps theatres accessible and resists, as Derek Jacobi says, theatre becoming elitist. David said, “When Shirley Valentine first went on sale our top price was £75 down to £7.50 and we immediately sold over £2 million worth of tickets. It just goes to show that a West End production can be profitable but at the same time welcome everybody in who wants to come and see it.”
Sheridan Smith said, “Shirley Valentine is a dream part to play and going in every night and seeing not one empty seat has made my return to the West End so wonderful. We’re now releasing the final seats so I do hope that everybody who wants to come will be able to.”
Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine starring Sheridan Smith opened to wonderful reviews and public acclaim and continues its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre through to June.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE is the joyous, life-affirming story of the woman who got lost in marriage and motherhood, the woman who wound up talking to the kitchen wall whilst cooking her husband’s chips and egg. But Shirley still has a secret dream. And in her bag, an airline ticket. One day she may just leave a note, saying: ‘Gone! Gone to Greece.’
SHIRLEY VALENTINE is written by Willy Russell, directed by Matthew Dunster, designed by Paul Wills, with lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph and is produced by David Pugh.