Norma Sheahan brings her sell-out Shirley Valentine back to Lime Tree Theatre

ONE of Ireland’s most celebrated dramatic actors returns to Limerick this weekend as Norma Sheahan reprises her acclaimed performance in Willy Russell’s beloved one-woman play, Shirley Valentine, at Lime Tree Theatre this Friday April 17.

Directed by Michael Scott, the production follows Shirley, a 45-year-old Liverpool housewife trapped in a stale marriage and a life she barely recognises as her own. Talking to her kitchen wall as she prepares her husband’s egg and chips, Shirley reflects on the hopeful young woman she once was — and, when an unexpected invitation to Greece arrives, she seizes the chance to find her again.

Sheahan’s portrayal of Russell’s iconic character has proven a consistent audience favourite, with previous runs selling out. The production balances sharp comedy with genuine emotional warmth, offering what the company describes as an evening of laughter, poignancy, and rediscovery.

First performed in 1986, Shirley Valentine has accumulated an impressive array of honours over the decades, including an Olivier Award for Best Comedy and a Tony Award for Best Play, while the subsequent film adaptation received an Oscar nomination. Its themes of self-determination, reinvention, and the quiet courage required to reclaim one’s own life have lost none of their resonance in the four decades since.

Sheahan is also currently riding a wave of attention as one of the co-hosts of Middle Rage, a new podcast launched with comedian Sharon Mannion and RTÉ presenter Jen Zamparelli. The three longtime friends and former co-stars tackle the realities of midlife — from perimenopause to showbiz in their forties — with candour and humour, and the podcast has quickly climbed the charts since its launch.

Shirley Valentine plays at Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick, on Friday, 17th April 2026. Tickets