Nicola Cavendish landed her first theater job just out of college and she hasn’t stopped working since – until last month that is, when she decided to officially retire from the profession.
But for three nights in early November, she will be back on stage at Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT), performing “An Intimate Reading of Shirley Valentine” for the theater’s major fundraising event.
Cavendish’s reading comes from her years touring with the one-woman show “Shirley Valentine,” for which she received widespread acclaim.
Rooted in British Columbia, 66-year-old Cavendish has lived the life of a professional actress since 1976, garnering awards for both her stage and screen performances.
“I was working up to last month when I finally retired from the theater,” she says. “Wouldn’t you know it, a few days later I got a call from my agent in Toronto urging me to audition for a role in a new television series. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity.”
The series, “Virgin River,” is based on the book series of the same name by Robyn Carr. Taking place in the fictional town of Virgin River, the scenes will be shot in British Columbia, conveniently located in Cavendish’s home town.
“I’m thrilled to have been called back for a second audition for the role of ‘mayor,’ which takes place when I return to British Columbia, after my performance at LLT.”
Cavendish’s long list of accomplishments includes performing at Ontario’s prestigious Shaw Festival – a yearly event which honors playwright George Bernard Shaw. She’s landed major roles in such plays as “The Millionairess,” “Pygmalion,” “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “Present Laughter” and “Camille.” She’s also performed on Broadway in Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.”
Out of all the plays she’s performed, “Shirley Valentine” remains at the top of her list. For this reason, she’s agreed to perform her reading of the play at LLT to raise funds for their renovation project, The Third Act.
Says Cavendish, “Shirley Valentine is a remarkable play and a most extraordinary experience for the audience. It’s a day in the life of a funny Liverpool housewife facing ‘empty nest syndrome’ when, suddenly, an opportunity comes along.”
Cavendish says she has been “extremely fortunate” to land major roles throughout her theater career. “What this taught me is that when you jump into the world of theater, whether that role is designer, director or actor, you go into it with a lot of blind faith. That means that you have to believe you have goods.”
Cavendish also stresses the importance of timing.
“In 1976, and fresh out of college, I attended my first audition, where I met the artistic director of a wonderful theater company in Vancouver. He was looking for six actors to create a company within the company, and I was hired. I liken that stroke of luck to good timing. It was a great job, and so was the pay. Earning 175 dollars a week, that was a lot money in 1976.”
Cavendish met her husband, Michael, during one of her theater shows. Being part of the union crew and doing backstage work, he too was deeply involved in theater life. He died unexpectedly in July, 2011.
“We were both quite independent,” she says. “Being that I was ‘married’ to the theater, Michael never stopped me from taking on any roles that I was offered.”
Cavendish was fortunate to work with such greats as Shirley MacLaine, Richard Chamberlain, Kirk Douglas and Blythe Danner, whose daughter happens to be Gwyneth Paltrow. In “Blithe Spirit,” she acted alongside Geraldine Page, who sadly died during the play’s run.
Cavendish is excited about her first visit to lakeside.
“My husband rode down to Mexico in 1980 on his Harley with me on the back,” she relates. “We headed toward Baja, then on to the beautiful town of San Carlos. We’ve been to Mexico two times since and I’ve always loved the country, especially the people and the food.”
Rather than performing the full production of “Shirley Valentine” at LLT, Cavendish has chosen to enact an intimate reading of it.
“To put on the actual production would require a fully-working kitchen, which would be a bit much for LLT. My reading should be just as dynamic as the actual play.
“Once audiences see ‘Shirley Valentine,’ the story stays in their hearts forever. It’s that’s powerful a piece of theater.”
“An Intimate Reading of Shirley Valentine” runs November 6, 7, and 8, 7:30 p.m. at Lakeside Little Theatre. An audience question and answer session will follow. All proceeds go toward LLT’s renovation project. Tickets are 250 pesos and can be purchased at the LLT box office, or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..