For Women and Their Men

Whether you are 30, 50 or 80 years old, whatever your social circumstances or line of work, sometimes you need to pause and talk to yourself. To reflect on your way of life and not let yourself settle into the monotony and routine that weigh you down. The one-woman play *For Women and Their Men* tells the story of one of many women who needed to stop, rethink her habits, daily life and personal relationships, and resolve to change. Shirley Valentine shares her story here. She spends most of her life within four walls, usually alone: her children have grown up and moved away, while her husband is at work almost all the time. Shirley Valentine lives in her memories, and her best conversational companion is the kitchen wall. When a friend who has won the lottery is preparing to go to Greece, Shirley seizes the opportunity and goes with her. During the trip, she begins to observe and analyse herself and the world around her from the outside. She realises that life never stops for a moment: it moves forward, and she moves with it. The play *For Women and Their Men* is based on *Shirley Valentine* (1986), by the famous English playwright Willy Russell. His works are staged on the world’s leading theatre stages, adapted for the screen, and have received various awards. This incredibly funny and engaging play, described as a modern classic, became a sensation on the stages of London and New York theatres. It won the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, and actress Pauline Collins received an Oscar nomination for her leading role in Lewis Gilbert’s film *Shirley Valentine* (1989). At Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre, the work became a memorable showcase for talented actress Ligita Kondrotaitė and one of the theatre’s longest-running productions: in October 2024, *For Women and Their Men* was performed for the 100th time! The one-woman play *For Women and Their Men* is a story of self-discovery. As the play’s director and actress, Ligita Kondrotaitė, says: “The situation explored in the play is familiar to many women. Even more often, we deny it: this definitely won’t happen to us. The play can be called a comedy, but it does more than make you laugh; after all, it is a drama grounded in subtle humour.” The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.