Shirley’s rolling back to Dylan
Shirley henderSon (above) is like a rolling stone — one that’s heading right back to Conor McPherson’s great play, Girl From The north Country, which is itself rolling into the West end next month.
it’s a story set in 1934 — during the heart of the Great depression — in duluth, Minnesota; and McPherson has fused 20 of Bob dylan’s songs to his narrative, which revolves around the inhabitants of a ramshackle guest house.
The show, which features new versions of dylan’s Tight Connection To My heart (has Anyone Seen My love), i Want you and the title tune, enjoyed a spectacularly successful run at the old Vic this summer.
When i saw it, i was particularly knocked out by henderson’s sublime performance as a woman struggling to cling to reality while her husband the innkeeper (Ciaran hinds) cheats on her.
Girl From The north Country transfers to the noel Coward Theatre from december 29 for a 12-week run.
Karl Johnson, david Ganly and hannah Azuonye will be joining the cast. other actors, such as ron Cook, Sheila Atim and Sam reid are staying with the show — which some have called one of the year’s best.