Actor Mina Anwar on playing Shirley Valentine on stage

It’s almost 40 years since Pauline Collins first took to the stage at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre in Shirley Valentine. Now, a new version, produced by Bolton’s Octagon Theatre for a northern tour of the show, will head to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre this month. But, this time, instead of a Liverpudlian voice reading those iconic lines, Accrington-born Mina Anwar will reprise the role in the heart-warming comedy – with a Lancashire accent.

‘I asked Willy Russell if I could re-set it and put it in Lancashire,’ says Mina, who returns to the role following her acclaimed performance in the Octagon Theatre’s 2020 production. ‘I wanted to do something authentic to me. He’s never granted this permission before – he trusted me to do it. The fact he entrusted me to rewrite sections and look at the colloquial nature of women in Lancashire – and loved it – was extraordinary. I had to go and read what I’d done to him in his office.

‘To be able to do this play twice is quite extraordinary. There are some Accrington and Manchester references, places that are seminal in this area, places people can relate to. There is a mention of Kendal’s in the city centre that always gets a brilliant reaction because it is somewhere people know and have that connection with. What Willy created is a beautiful, impactful piece of writing.

Mina is reprising the role of Shirley after first performing in the play at Bolton's Octagon Theatre back in 2020. Photo: ©The Other Richard‘I’m doing seven shows a week and every time I do it the audience is different, so the experience is different. They laugh in different places; they go silent at different points. I cook egg and chips live on stage which always gets a wonderful reaction. It makes it a thrilling experience for me on stage.’

Shirley Valentine was first written for the stage by renowned playwright, composer and lyricist Willy Russell following the success of his previous productions Education Rita and Blood Brothers. Starting at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, it had success in the West End, on Broadway and won numerous awards, including a Tony Award for star, Pauline Collins, who played Shirley both on stage and on the big screen in the 1989 Oscar nominated film, starring alongside Tom Conti.

The play tells the heartwarming and hilarious tale of downtrodden housewife Shirley who leaves her troubles (and husband) behind to seek adventure on a sun-soaked Greek holiday.

Mina lives on the Lancashire coast and has happy memories of visits to Blackpool as a child. 'I remember seeing the laughing clown at the Pleaseure Beach,' she says. Photo: Martin Bostock Photography Despite being written decades ago, Mina, now living on the Lancashire coast, says Shirley Valentine is just as relevant today as it ever was. Playing the role in a regional theatre is even more special.

‘I love local theatre, and the Grand Theatre is such a special place,’ says Mina, who now lives on the Lancashire coast. ‘Having regional and local theatres like this are vital to the theatre community. To have superb theatre available outside of London is important.

‘The Grand is a wonderful place. It’s my local theatre and I have spent many wonderful occasions here, either supporting it, appearing in plays or coming to watch one myself. You can come here and see and experience something special. I’m delighted we’re bringing Shirley Valentine here.’

Mina will perform Shirley Valentine at Blackpool Grand Theatre this month, as part of a tour that has already been to Bolton and Lancaster. Photo: Martin Bostock Photography Mina, a former pupil of Accrington’s Moorhead High School and Accrington and Rossendale College, where she met fellow actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh, got her big break in the mid-90s sitcom The Thin Blue Line and went on to numerous television roles including parts in Coronation Street, Shameless, The Bill and Doctor Who as well as working with comedy greats including Ben Elton. She originated the role of Ray in the acclaimed musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End, before her appearance in Life of Pi. She is also a classically trained mezzo soprano, sings big band jazz and has performed on backing vocals for The Charlatans. 

‘Singing was and always will be my first love,’ says Mina. ‘And I still love it to this day. But I also love the magic of theatre, particularly doing regional theatre. There is nothing like live theatre, nothing more magical than watching something being created in front of you. For every single person in that audience, that performance is only for them, it is unique. The next performance will always be different.’

Mina, who has worked with everyone from Stephen Fry to Kay Mellor, also does private lessons and enjoy working with young people, just starting out in their career and encouraging them to strive for their dreams.

'I cook egg and chips live on stage which always gets a wonderful reaction,' says Mina. Photo: ©The Other Richard ‘I want to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me,’ says Mina. ‘Being a Northern, south Asian woman with a long career, I think I have something to give. Theatre and acting are a part of me.

‘I want to show people how important it is to be brave. There are many daring, maverick people who have gone before me in theatre. I’m proud to be one of them and want to help make sure there are more. We have such a thriving community of actors and theatres here in the north and long may it continue.’

Shirley Valentine is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 1 April to Saturday 5 April. blackpoolgrand.co.uk