of escaping the predictable monotony of her humdrum life, has become something of an icon for women on both sides of the Atlantic since her creation by the brilliant playwright Willy Russell. Critically acclaimed when the play of that name opened in London in 1988 and then in New York, the film version went on to win plaudits for British actress Pauline Collins.

Now, local audiences will have the chance of entering Shirley Valentine's comic and ultimately moving world when the Jabulani Repertory Company stages Russell's hit play at the Hamilton Princess.

Carol Birch, one of Bermuda's most accomplished actresses, takes on the daunting, solo role of Shirley Valentine -- a role which brought her acclaim when the play was staged some years ago by BMDS at Daylesford.

This time around, she will be directed by her husband, Ian -- a situation she finds very satisfying. "At first, I wasn't sure about that but we discussed the possible pitfalls beforehand and agreed that whenever we walked into the rehearsal space it would be as director/actress, never as husband and wife, and that has worked beautifully. Ian is a very nurturing director and has made the whole thing fun. I had loved working with him before when he directed me in `Steel Magnolias'.'' (Unfortunately, illness forced her out of the leading role after just one performance). "He is seeing things in the role that I didn't catch before,'' says the gifted actress who came to Bermuda 19 years ago. "He has brought his own insights to the role, so it's all very fresh and new for me!'' Although she identifies closely with the role, Mrs. Birch is quick to point out that although she certainly knows people like Shirley, her life was "luckily'' quite unlike the person she portrays. "I grew up in Burton-on-Trent and left home when I was 18, so I broke the mould very early! I recently saw some of the girls I grew up with -- most of them are grandmothers now, very settled down -- I couldn't believe we came from the same place... Shirley is married to a man who would never go abroad on holiday (`he gets culture shock when he goes to Chester!') and who expects his tea on the table the minute he comes through the door from work. I've been married to Ian for 23 years and he is not at all like that! I have a very understanding family -- two sons, who are very independent, so I do pretty much as I want.

Still, this play is still a liberating experience, just having Willy Russell put into words what so many women want to say, but cannot! It's one of those plays where you are talking to the audience, which can be a bit unnerving at first. But the lovely part of that is that as you talk, you become aware that people are nodding their heads in recognition or agreement with what you're saying -- and occasionally, they will answer you back! People are certainly rooting for Shirley Valentine!'' She learns the massively long script by listening to tapes and "by osmosis'', concentrating on the sequence of the many stories and anecdotes told by the housewife as she reflects on her life. "The first time I looked at the script I thought, `I can't possibly do this' but I wanted to do it so badly that I just replied to myself, `Oh yes you can.' I always learn everybody's lines in every play I do, so there's not much difference in the long run.'' Carol is nervous but `thrilled' to star in one-woman show "In fact, you can be badly thrown if someone else gives you the wrong line -- at least in this, I only have to worry about myself.'' Asked if she is nervous, she replies, "Yes, of course, the idea of being the lone performer in a full-length production is frightening. But it's a bit like bungee-jumping: awful -- and thrilling -- at the same time!'' Mrs. Birch, who has also scored personal success in two other Jabulani hits at the Princess (`Don't Dress For Dinner' and `Move Over, Mrs. Markham') believes that the semi-professional cocktail-theatre group has "come a long way'' since it transformed the local entertainment scene. "At first it was very experimental. I think there's a better idea now of what works and what doesn't. Basically, people on vacation here want to be entertained and don't want to have to think too hard. We can push the envelope a bit more in the winter season when we rely very heavily on local audiences. One of the many advantages of working as a `repertory' group,'' she observes, "is that we get to understand many of the practical problems -- such as having a stage that is half-round. Ian Record has done the sets for this play and they are absolutely fabulous.'' Admitting that it is "quite a challenge'' to carry a play entirely alone, Mrs. Birch says that, nevertheless it's a role she had always longed to play.

"I knew Willy Russell's work through `Educating Rita' and I loved the movie version of `Shirley Valentine'. Of course, when you tackle a role like this, which is really a very long monologue, it's overwhelming at first.'' In the movie version there are other characters, but in the play she has to create 22 different characters. "I think it's one of the best-written scripts I have ever worked on,'' she enthuses. "It's a very funny play, but also very profound. And a lot of it is about women not being educated -- even though, like Rita in `Educating Rita', Shirley is a very bright, intelligent woman.

Willy Russell has the most wonderful insight into women.'' All the way through this brilliant play, there are little shocks of truth that are immediately recognised by most women. "There is a rueful kind of humour, and even the strongest emotions are couched in a humorous way. Perhaps she can best be summed up in her line towards the end of the play, `We don't do what we want to do -- we do what we have to do and pretend it is what we want to do!' Then she says, `And what I want to do is to stay here (in Greece) and be Shirley Valentine! What I shall have to do is go back to being St. Joan of the fitted units.' Then,'' adds Carol Birch, "you are left hanging. Does she go back? Come and find out!'' `Shirley Valentine' will open in the Gazebo Lounge of the Princess Hotel tomorrow, February 6 and run through February 8, next week from February 13 through 15, then again for two weeks in March.

Also running this season is the New York comedy, `P.S. Your Cat is Dead' and the classic thriller, `Dial `M' for Murder' which opens on February 20. For reservations telephone 295-3000.

A SPECIAL VALENTINE -- Carol Birch pictured in a scene from Jabulani Repertory Company's one-woman show, `Shirley Valentine' which opens tomorrow at the Hamilton Princess.