Natalie Bassingthwaite in ‘Shirley Valentine’: Can We Reinvent Ourselves?

Three decades on from her stage debut, Australian actor and singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte has a new coming-of-age in her return to theatre in one its most iconic one-woman plays, Shirley Valentine.

Key points:

As Shirley, Natalie takes on the role of a Liverpool housewife who rediscovers herself after years of living for others.

Originally a hit West End play by Willy Russell, the story brings humour and heart to the hard-to-navigate transitional seasons of life.

“[Shirley] embodies a woman that I think we all want to be brave enough to be,” Natalie told Hope 103.2.

“[Her story] is life-affirming, it’s heartwarming, and it’s about making a decision to choose your own destiny.”

Originally a hit West End play by Willy Russell, the story brings humour and heart to the hard-to-navigate transitional seasons of life.

Fronting electro-pop group Rogue Traders and playing Izzy on Neighbours, Natalie’s no stranger to the pressure of performing, but Shirley Valentine – and the 40-pages of solo dialogue – was a different beast.

“I’m not going to lie, it was daunting,” Natalie said.

“I’m always one of these people that think about it, [then] jump into the deep end and go, ‘how am I going to make this work?’.

Natalie’s no stranger to the pressure of performing, but Shirley Valentine – and the 40-pages of solo dialogue – was a different beast.

“So, it definitely has [been hard], but it’s been incredibly rewarding.”

Shirley’s reinvention and becoming comfortable in her own skin is something Natalie found particularly relatable.

“It’s taken 50 years to be comfortable in my own skin,” Natalie said.

“And [getting there] is about being patient with yourself.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

“It’s being okay to evolve and change and grow, and hopefully I’ll continue to do that.”

The plays arrival at Sydney’s Theatre Royal marks a return to the stage where Natalie first performed in Rent three decades ago, making it a significant full-circle moment.

“It’s the first theatre I ever performed in,” Natalie said.

“Just to be standing on that stage on my own, but knowing that the audience are there with me, it’s special.”

Shirley Valentine will be at Theatre Royal Sydney October 22-25.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

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Feature image: Supplied (Brett Boardman)