About Woman in Mind

Woman in Mind is a compelling psychological drama written by the celebrated British playwright Alan Ayckbourn. This remarkable West End production brings audiences face to face with the fragile nature of reality through the eyes of Susan, a woman whose inner world begins to overtake her everyday existence. Starring the extraordinary Olivier Award-winning actress Sheridan Smith, this limited-run engagement at Duke of York's Theatre offers an unforgettable theatrical experience that blends dark humour with profound emotional depth.

Why Watch Woman in Mind

• Alan Ayckbourn's masterpiece centres on a woman whose imagined life competes fiercely with her mundane reality, using sharp wit and deliberate disorientation to examine themes of emotional neglect and isolation.

• The production features Sheridan Smith in the demanding lead role of Susan, supported by an exceptional ensemble cast including Romesh Ranganathan, Louise Brealey, Tim McMullan and other distinguished performers from stage and screen.

• Reality and fantasy overlap throughout the play, with scenes deliberately disrupting chronology to mirror the protagonist's fractured internal experience and shifting perception of the world around her.

• This limited engagement is staged at the historic Duke of York's Theatre, one of London's most intimate and beloved West End venues, making it an essential experience for drama enthusiasts and fans of British theatre.

The Story

The play opens with Susan recovering from a minor accident in her garden. As she regains consciousness, she begins to experience glimpses of a parallel world that feels infinitely more attentive, loving and complete than her actual life. Her real family consists of a distant vicar husband named Gerald and a troubled son named Rick, while her fantasy family offers unconditional love and admiration.

As the narrative progresses, conversations begin to overlap and imagined figures start to intrude upon mundane domestic scenes. The boundary between what is real and what Susan has invented steadily erodes, creating moments of dark comedy that gradually give way to unsettling insight. The audience is drawn into Susan's perspective, experiencing her confusion and longing firsthand.

Woman in Mind traces Susan's shifting perception as the comfort of her fantasy world becomes increasingly necessary for survival. The play reveals how fragile certainty can be when reality no longer agrees with itself, and how the mind can construct elaborate defences against emotional pain and neglect.

The Cast and Creative Team

This production brings together an exceptional group of theatrical talents. Sheridan Smith, renowned for her versatility and emotional depth, takes on the challenging role of Susan. Her performance captures both the humour and heartbreak of a woman losing her grip on reality while desperately seeking connection and validation.

Romesh Ranganathan joins the cast as Bill, bringing his distinctive presence to this dramatic role. The ensemble also includes Louise Brealey, Tim McMullan, Sule Rimi, Chris Jenks, Safia Oakley-Green, Taylor Uttley, Katie Buchholz and Michael Woolfitt, each contributing to the layered world of Susan's fractured consciousness.

Director Michael Longhurst helms this revival, bringing fresh perspective to Ayckbourn's text while honouring the playwright's innovative vision. The production design creates seamless transitions between Susan's dual realities, enhancing the disorienting effect that makes this play so uniquely powerful.

About Duke of York's Theatre

Duke of York's Theatre stands as one of London's most cherished West End venues. Located on St Martin's Lane in the heart of the theatre district, this intimate space provides the perfect setting for the psychological intensity of Woman in Mind. The theatre offers excellent sightlines and acoustics, ensuring every audience member can fully engage with the performance.

The venue features modern amenities including a bar, restrooms, cloakroom and lounge areas. Accessibility provisions include wheelchair access, accessible toilets, designated seating and hearing assistance systems, ensuring all theatregoers can enjoy the production comfortably.

What Makes This Production Special

Woman in Mind is widely regarded as one of Alan Ayckbourn's finest works. First performed in the early 1980s, the play has been revived numerous times in the UK and internationally, consistently earning critical acclaim for its inventive structure and emotional resonance. This production offers contemporary audiences the opportunity to experience a theatrical masterpiece brought to life by some of Britain's most talented performers.

The play's exploration of identity, emotional isolation, escapism and mental health remains profoundly relevant today. Through Susan's story, audiences are invited to consider how we construct meaning in our lives and what happens when the narratives we tell ourselves begin to unravel.

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