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Sheridan Smith Leads Ayckbourn Revival 'Woman in Mind' as West End Reviews Land

Early notices split, highlighting Sheridan Smith’s demanding turn.

Overview

  • Michael Longhurst’s production opened to press at the Duke of York’s Theatre, where it runs through 28 February before touring to Sunderland (4–7 March) and Glasgow (10–14 March).
  • Smith stars as Susan, a woman whose reality fractures after a head injury, in a role that keeps her onstage for the entire performance.
  • Comedian Romesh Ranganathan plays Bill, the doctor treating Susan, in his stage debut.
  • Critics diverge on the revival’s impact, with praise for Smith’s wit and emotional depth set against concerns that the play feels dated or lightweight.
  • Reviews single out the staging and design—psychedelic projections, a transforming garden and a canny use of the safety curtain—by Soutra Gilmour, Lee Curran and the creative team.