Sheridan Smith to Star in West End Revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Woman In Mind’

Award-winning stage and screen star Sheridan Smith is set to make a highly anticipated return to the West End, leading a new revival of Alan Ayckbourn's darkly comic psychological drama, 'Woman In Mind'. The production will play a strictly limited engagement at the Duke of York's Theatre, with performances beginning on December 9, 2025, and running until February 28, 2026.

Directed by Michael Longhurst, the former Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, this revival will see Smith take on the central role of Susan. The play, first premiered in 1985, is a compelling and often hilarious exploration of one woman's fractured reality. The story follows Susan, a neglected housewife, who after a bump to the head, finds her mundane life colliding with an imagined, perfect fantasy world.

The Plot:

In 'Woman In Mind', Susan is trapped in a loveless marriage to a distant vicar and is estranged from her son. After an accident involving a garden rake, her world splits in two. In one reality, she is surrounded by her real family, who treat her with apathy and condescension. In the other, a sparkling fantasy world emerges where she is adored by a perfect, loving family, complete with a stately home and endless champagne.

As the lines between her two worlds begin to blur, the play shifts from light-hearted comedy to a poignant and tragic descent into madness. Susan's fantasy family, initially a source of comfort, becomes increasingly grotesque as it mirrors and distorts the harsh realities of her life. The play is a gripping examination of identity, family, and the human need for escape.

A Triumphant Return:

This production marks a significant West End return for Smith, who is a two-time Olivier Award winner for her roles in 'Legally Blonde' and 'Flare Path'. She returns to the Duke of York's Theatre following her critically acclaimed and sold-out run in Willy Russell’s 'Shirley Valentine'.

The creative team for the revival includes set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Lee Curran, and sound design by Paul Arditti. Following its West End run, 'Woman In Mind' will embark on a short tour, with dates scheduled at the Sunderland Empire and the Theatre Royal in Glasgow in March 2026. Further casting for the production is yet to be announced.