Willy Russell’s heartwarming comedy Shirley Valentine kicks off its 30th anniversary tour in Bromley for the first of three dates in Kent.

Opening at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Thursday, March 2, 2017, it will star actress Jodie Prenger as Shirley.

The show premiered in 1986 and took the world by storm, also being made into an Oscar nominated film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

Of the revival tour Willy Russell said:"It’s now 30 years since Shirley Valentine first walked onto the page, into my life and the lives of so many others. Shirley cooked her first meal of egg and chips on the stage of the Everyman Theatre Liverpool before then hoofing it down to London where along with the cooking and talking to the wall she started picking up the string of awards she’d win in the West End, on Broadway and in the film that earned both BAFTAs and Academy Award Nominations."

He added: "When producer Adam Spiegel introduced me to Jodie Prenger I knew in an instant that here was a formidable actress, one who possessed the grit and the warmth, the drive and the vulnerability, the energy and the heart to make Shirley Valentine really live again. How could any playwright resist that or deny the whole of the UK the chance to see Jodie bring Shirley to life?"

Jodie is best known for winning the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver! through the BBC series I’d Do Anything. She also toured with musical Tell Me On A Sunday earlier this year.

The show tells the story of Shirley, a Liverpool housewife, whose kids have left home and she makes chips and egg for her husband while talking to the wall. Out of the blue, her best friend offers her a trip to Greece and she secretly packs her bags heading for the sun and seeing the world and herself differently.

Directed by original director Glen Walford, the show comes to the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Thursday, March 2 to Saturday, March 4. For tickets call 020 3285 6000 or visit churchilltheatre.co.uk

It will also be at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, from Tuesday, May 16 to Saturday, May 20. Call 01227 787787 or visit marlowetheatre.com to book.

It will then be at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells from Monday, July 3 to Saturday, July 8. Call 01892 530613 or go to assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk for tickets.