Shirley Valentine to come to life at Koorliny

Diana Oliver has been talking to herself a lot lately - all in preparation for her latest role in Shirley Valentine.

The Waikiki actor will deliver the popular one-woman play at Koorliny Arts centre next month, under the direction of Adam Salathiel.

Oliver said she was drawn to the production after performing in another famous Willy Russell play, Educating Rita.

"I loved playing Rita and many of the audience members commented afterwards that they would love to see me do Shirley Valentine as well," she said.

"As I am originally from Essex, her accent is a little tricky to master, but I love the challenge of accents.

Oliver described Shirley as a wonderful character who was able to laugh at herself.

"There are some good aspects of being an older actress and thankfully still some good roles to perform," she said. "Shirley has reached a time in her life and relationship where she is looking back over the years and questioning where all of her earlier promise and passion went."

"I think many of us can relate to some of her stories and feelings.

"Luckily, I think I had my own Shirley Valentine moment a lot earlier in life and have managed to travel widely and always try to live life to the full."

Oliver got her first taste of community theatre in the UK in her teens.

Since arriving in Australia more than 15 years ago, she has been a regular on stage in the likes of The Taming of the Shrew and Calendar Girls.

She plays the lead, Josie, in Steaming, which opens at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre tonight.

Oliver's passion for theatre has rubbed off on daughter Aimee, 11, who has also taken to acting.

A recent on-stage glitch tested Oliver's ability to ad lib.

"I was playing Mrs Sowerberry in a recent production of Oliver! at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and Oliver had to be whisked off the stage suddenly by another character as he needed an urgent microphone change before a big song number," she said.

"I was left having to improvise for a while."

She hopes there are no hiccups in Shirley Valentine.

"Shirley Valentine as a play is one long monologue, split into three scenes," she said.

"As an actor, my greatest challenge will be to make the audience empathise, believe, laugh, relate to and totally engage with Shirley and her journey of self-discovery and reminiscing from her kitchen, where she spends lots of time talking to the wall, to a beach in Greece where she talks to a rock.

"My immediate challenge is learning lots of lines."

Shirley Valentine will show at 8pm on September 5, 6, 12 and 13, with 2pm matinees on September 7 and 13.

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $22 for concessions, plus booking fees.

To reserve a seat, phone 9467 7118 or visit www.koorliny.com.au .

Narelle Butcher