Sheridan Smith Returns in Ayckbourn’s Woman in Mind
Woman In Mind
Sunderland Empire
Wednesday 4 - Saturday 7 March 2026
Few living playwrights have reshaped British theatre as profoundly as Alan Ayckbourn, and few actors today command the same mix of critical acclaim and popular affection as Sheridan Smith. Their creative worlds will soon collide in a major new production of Woman in Mind, which opens in the West End this December before heading to just two regional theatres – Sunderland Empire (4–7 March 2026) and Theatre Royal Glasgow (10–14 March 2026). Tickets for Sunderland are now on sale.
A Play of Two Worlds
First staged in 1985, Woman in Mind is among Ayckbourn’s boldest and most psychologically adventurous works. Unlike his comedies of suburban mishap, this play places us directly inside the mind of its central character, Susan, a woman whose bump on the head prompts a split in her perception of reality. Audiences are drawn into both her drab, frustrating domestic life and the vibrant imagined world she creates, until the two intertwine with unsettling results.
Ayckbourn himself once described the play as his most personal, exploring loneliness, disillusionment, and the fragile boundary between imagination and breakdown. In the hands of director Michael Longhurst – acclaimed for his inventive, emotionally charged productions (Constellations, Amadeus) – this revival is likely to combine fidelity to Ayckbourn’s wit with fresh theatrical daring.
Sheridan Smith at the Centre
Sheridan Smith’s involvement is the headline draw. The Olivier-winning actress has proven her ability to command both comic sparkle and dramatic intensity, from Legally Blonde to Shirley Valentine. Her TV roles, too – from Cilla to Mrs Biggs – have made her a household name. That versatility is likely to serve her well in Woman in Mind, a role demanding rapid switches between sardonic humour, emotional vulnerability, and surreal fantasy.
Smith’s recent return to the Duke of York’s Theatre in Shirley Valentine sold out quickly, suggesting her upcoming run there (9 December 2025–28 February 2026) will generate similar demand. For audiences in Sunderland and Glasgow, her arrival offers a rare chance to see a West End-calibre performance outside London.
A Creative Team with Pedigree
Longhurst is joined by set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour, whose distinctive visual storytelling (Cabaret, Yerma) will be key in shaping the blurred realities of Susan’s world. The production also features lighting by Lee Curran and sound design by Paul Arditti – both established collaborators on projects that demand precision and atmosphere.
Why It Matters Locally
The Sunderland Empire engagement is especially notable. The city has hosted major touring musicals and pantomimes, but straight plays with this level of West End prestige are less common. For North East theatregoers, Woman in Mind represents not just another production on the calendar but an event: the opportunity to see a leading British star in one of Ayckbourn’s most daring works, staged by a top-tier creative team.
Balanced Expectations
Still, Woman in Mind is not a conventional crowd-pleaser. Its fragmented narrative, shifting tones, and ambiguous conclusion can be disorienting, even unsettling. Some may find the play darker and more demanding than Ayckbourn’s more familiar comedies. Yet that is also the reason this revival feels timely: in an era of widespread conversation about mental health and hidden struggles, Susan’s fractured perceptions may resonate more powerfully than ever.
Final Word
This production promises a fusion of heavyweight talent, classic writing, and contemporary relevance. For Ayckbourn devotees, Smith admirers, or anyone curious about theatre that combines humour with psychological depth, Woman in Mind looks to be one of the most anticipated stage events of the coming season – whether in London, Sunderland, or Glasgow.
Photos: Oliver Rosser
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