Shirley Valentine
Smith took on the role of Shirley in Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York’s Theatre – and made magic with just a frying pan and an audience clinging to every word. Willy Russell’s iconic one-woman play gave Smith the perfect stage to show her comedic timing. From cracking eggs to breaking into our hearts live on stage each night. Her portrayal of the Liverpudlian housewife on the edge of rediscovery earned her lots of glowing reviews and sold-out shows.
Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps
Before she became a stage legend, Smith was a very familiar face on British TV as part of a BBC sitcom: Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps follows five friends set in a Northern pub, navigating the messiness of adulthood. Smith (playing Janet) was hilarious and, similar to her role as Shirley, heartfelt. It was an early glimpse of comedic wit that would soon become her trademark. The show ran for ten years, becoming a beloved staple in the early 2000s. Cheers to that!
Legally Blonde: The Musical
Taking on the iconic role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, she defied all expectations and smashed them to pieces. With her unique blend of comedy, emotional depth and star quality, Elle was transformed into a loveable powerhouse that won her the 2009 Olivier award for Best Actress in a Musical. Everyone was tickled pink with one reviewer stating, ‘blessed with vitality, warmth, great comic timing and sudden moments of touching vulnerability.’ She is infinitely more likeable than Reese Witherspoon in the film’. Go Smith!
Flare Path
Stepping into this role, Smith showed incredible versatility, proving she has great dynamic range, wowing critics and audiences in Flare Path. This wartime drama was created by Terence Rattigan. Playing Doris, the wife of a polish pilot, she anxiously waits for her husband’s return from the RAF’s latest mission. With this performance, she simultaneously won and broke hearts and earned her a second Olivier Award and her first Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress.
Joesph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat
In 2019 Smith took on the role as the narrator in the London Palladium’s 50th anniversary production of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. The show was a smash hit; critics praised the charm and joyful energy she brought while setting the tone on the heavy subject matter.
Mrs Biggs
During her performance as Charmian Biggs, the wife of infamous train robber Ronnie Biggs, smith took a ride from young bride to determined mother with grit and strength. It was one of her emotional and raw roles that cemented her status as one of the UK’s finest actors.
Inside Number 9 – The 12 Days of Christine
In this episode of Inside Number 9, this one is often ranked as both a fan and critic favourite. As Cristine, she takes us through her scattered memories and moments that gradually reveal something dark and devastating. This episode is a masterclass in subtle storytelling, and Smith’s performance made it one of the show’s most unforgettable episodes.