'Shirley will give you a Greek boost! Or help you rediscover your clitoris!'

Norma Sheahan, one of Ireland’s leading dramatic actors, breathes new life into Willie Russell’s iconic character Shirley Valentine when she visits Mullingar Arts Centre on Easter Saturday (April 16).

Trapped in a dreary marriage and humdrum life, Shirley wonders when she lost her hopeful, youthful self.

With no support from her demanding husband, snooty neighbour, or self-absorbed teens, she resorts to full-blown (although somewhat one-sided) conversations with her kitchen wall.

So, when a divorced friend asks her to go on a holiday to Greece, she gathers what remains of her dignity and begins a humorous and uplifting voyage of rediscovery.

Shirley, with ever-opening eyes, begins to see the world – and herself – in a different light… but will she ever go back to being ‘St Joan of the fitted units’?

Norma Sheahan said: “A good dose of Shirley Valentine is what we all need right now. Enough talking to the walls! And if you can’t go on hols yet, Shirley will give you a Greek boost! Or help you rediscover your clitoris!

“Legend Willy Russell, the writer, Zoomed us to create this Irish Shirley version, and he’s hoping to get to Ireland to see it this year.”

Norma’s recent theatre work was at the Gaiety – the Cripple of Innishmaan; Angela’s Ashes the Musical; and Heal your Hole.

Her recent TV work includes Holding, Bridget and Eamon, Mooneboy, Dead Still, Clinic, Damo and Ivor, and Harry Wild.

Norma is from Cork and lives in Dublin; she has three teenage girls (including twins). She has won Celebrity Ireland’s Fittest Family. She went to RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and her podcast, Heal your Hole with Norma Sheahan, is at its 76th episode.

It’s at 8pm on April 16. See Mullingar Arts Centre.