A major West End revival of Alan Ayckbourn's 1985 play Woman in Mind has opened at the Duke of York's Theatre in Covent Garden, starring Sheridan Smith and Romesh Ranganathan. Directed by Michael Longhurst, the production will run from Wednesday 7 January 2026 until Saturday 28 February 2026, offering audiences a chance to revisit one of the playwright's more conceptual works from his commercial peak.
A Star Performance Amidst Theatrical Artifice
Sheridan Smith takes on the central role of Susan, a middle-aged woman whose reality fractures after a head injury. Smith is praised for a wonderful and empathetic performance, navigating the character's considerable emotional terrain as she toggles between her bleak real life and a lavish fantasy world. Romesh Ranganathan, playing Dr Bill, also receives commendation for a decent and proper acting turn that departs effectively from his usual comic persona.
The play's high-concept structure sees Susan conjuring an idealised family—played by Chris Jenks, Safia Oakley-Green, and Sule Rimi—who adore her in a grand country estate. This fantasy is brutally juxtaposed with her actual life, dominated by her windbag vicar husband Gerald, portrayed by Tim McMullen, and an absurdly overegged supporting cast including a sister-in-law (Louise Brealey) and a son fresh from a cult (Taylor Uttley).
Stylish Production With a Conceptual Core
The production is noted for its visual appeal, particularly Soutra Gilmour's lush but menacing garden set. A clever directorial choice sees the two worlds of the play initially divided by a partially raised safety curtain, heightening the jarring disconnect between fantasy and reality.
However, the review suggests that the play itself ultimately prioritises technical exercise and artifice over genuine emotional depth. While Smith's performance is thrilling to watch, the narrative becomes engulfed by its own conceptual machinery. The critique posits that the play's potentially Chekhovian melancholy—exploring themes of loneliness and middle-aged disillusionment—remains buried deep beneath a surface of glamorous stagecraft.
Practical Details For Theatregoers
Woman in Mind is playing at the Duke of York's Theatre on St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4BG, easily accessible via Charing Cross Tube station. The running time is 2 hours and 5 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from £15 to £175. Matinee and evening performances are scheduled throughout its run until the end of February 2026.
While the revival is recommended, it earns a 3 out of 5 star rating. The verdict celebrates Smith's compelling central performance and the production's handsome style, but questions whether Ayckbourn's intricate concept leaves enough room for the heart and substantive commentary it initially promises.
