Shirley Valentine (film) to retain the best of Willy Russell's theatrical devices . . . while opening out the action to embrace a big-screen atmosphere. The supporting cast, particularly Bernard Hill as Collins's Neanderthal husband, is equally convincing, with only the hammy Conti (glistening teeth and appalling accent) striking a momentary false note." Among reviewers who found the film banal and hollow, Caryn James of "The New York Times" observed, "By adding all the characters and settings that Shirley only talks about on stage, the film reveals the weakness of Mr. Russell's script as surely as if a magician's clumsy assistant had pointed
Peter McKintosh Being Earnest, Hay Fever, Harvey, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Another Country, Viva Forever!, Death and the Maiden, Butley, Love Story, Prick Up Your Ears, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Donkeys’ Years, The Dumb Waiter, Fiddler on the Roof, A Woman of No Importance, Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine (West End); Guys and Dolls, Uncle Vanya, Antony and Cleopatra, The Scarlet Letter, Just So, Pal Joey, Another Country (Chichester Festival Theatre); Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Sound of Music, Crazy For You, Hello Dolly! (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); The Winslow Boy (Old Vic/Roundabout, NY); Noises Off (Old Vic/West End/UK tour); Our Country’s Good,