STAGE REVIEW: Shirley Valentine - at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, July 24 to Saturday, July 29, 2017.

NOT only were the chips cooking, so too was the outstanding Jodie Prenger in this wonderful one-woman show.

She’s the bored, taken for granted, 42-year-old Liverpudlian housewife, Shirley Bradshaw (nee Valentine) with a penchant for chatting to the wall in her kitchen.

Her chat also incorporates a rapt audience and later on… a large rock on a Greek island. “But he can’t understand what I’m saying because he's Greek!”

Shirley, and her wall, lead us off on an unexpected and heart-warming adventure which introduces us to another number of ‘characters’. We get to know who they are, almost what makes them tick, and most certainly that hubby Joe likes his evening meal on the table the moment he walks through the kitchen door!

Prenger, who is on stage for more than two hours, is close to perfection as she portrays this superb solo role magnificently - engaging with the audience as she cooks Joe’s eggs and chips. Shame he’s expecting steak!

Sipping wine and convincing the wall, as well as herself, she gathers the courage to accompany best friend, Jane, for a couple of weeks on a Greek island. But although the wall knows what’s going on, Shirley’s husband is in the dark.

Prenger’s delightful, engaging and amusing delivery of Willy Russell’s outstanding comedy is so infectious this could have been a role he had written for her. She ensures it never feels just a one-woman show, and whether at home or abroad Costas the Greek bar owner, Joe and others could well be alongside her.

Shirley may have been bored but discovered how to put the sunshine back in her life. Joining her for the sun and the fun, as well as a knew lease of life, is an opportunity there for all and you won’t even need to talk to the wall or a rock on a sandy beach.

Shirley Valentine is an uplifting comedy and Jodie Prenger, who first came to public prominence through one of those reality singing shows, is going to be a star who shines brightly for many years to come.

A standing ovation for her efforts? You bet! Not just standing, but rapturous, and thoroughly deserved.