REVIEW: Woman In Mind at Sunderland Empire

Woman In Mind 

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 7 March 2026

The Alan Ayckbourn play Woman In Mind appears this week for a very short run at the Sunderland Empire. The top billing of Sheridan Smith and, in his stage debut, Romesh Ranganathan, packed the theatre to see this 41 year old play.

There has been no attempt to update the show with modern technology and the natural development of character takes precedence over fancy tricks.

Sheridan Smith is ever present over the two hours as Susan, a lady who has stood on a garden rake in her garden and knocked herself out. Ranganathan is Dr Bill Windsor who discovers her and calls for an ambulance. At first she assumes she is dead and has gone somewhere they don't speak English as she cannot comprehend what he is saying.  

As the show develops it is clear that all is not what it seems for Susan after her knock as she tries to fathom out what is real and what is in her imagination. 

Here comes the difficulty in writing a review. The less you know about the narrative ahead of seeing the show, the better your experience will probably be.  It is a great  ensemble cast with running jokes about Muriel (Louise Brearley)  and her food. Having said that, there were more laughs in the second act. 

Normally mentioning sound design too early in a review is code for a rubbish play that the reviewer did not like. However, in this case, I have to mention that some of the effects were reminiscent of the cinema style surround sound leading you to think someone is talking behind you, when it's probably just what's going on in Susan's mind.

It feels less usual to see a ‘straight play’ at this venue which pulls in the big musicals, but this one shows there is an appetite in Wearside for engaging plays.

Sheridan Smith is naturally at ease on stage and she appears to feed off the reactions of the audience. She works hard to give a convincing performance. 

Romesh Ranganathan did not give the impression that this was his debut on stage. More used to television acting, theatre could have been challenging, however he appeared comfortable in this format. I'd love to see more of both on the theatrical stage.

The ensemble really works well in pulling the crazy scenario into some sense of order. Tim McMullan’s Gerald witters on over talking the situation and Taylor Uttley’s relatively brief appearance as Rick gives the sense of issues before the play started. Indeed body language and what is not said is as much a part of the exposition. Sule Rimi gives Andy a sophistication that contrasts with the others whilst Safia Oakley-Green adds sparkling energy as Lucy whenever she popped up.

It was the first time that I had seen this story and director Michael Longhirst certainly gets things moving along well in the second act.

This was a fun night at the theatre that works well as a live experience. As a show that I have been looking forward to, it did not disappoint.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Marc Brenner

Tickets:

Show: Woman In Mind
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Dates: Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 March 2026
Tickets: Available online at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland
A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings