Sheridan Smith stars as Susan in a revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s acclaimed play Woman in Mind, which explores the nuances of mental health and the intersection of reality and fantasy, reports BritPanorama.
Set against the backdrop of the bleak early January weeks, the drama unfolds as bored vicar’s wife Susan, following a “knock to the head,” begins to merge her imagined life with her mundane reality. The play, first premiered in 1985, aims to resonate with contemporary discussions surrounding mental health and perimenopause, yet it falls short of fully realizing this potential.
Smith’s performance as the witty yet frustrated Susan pairs her with a humdrum existence alongside her husband Gerald (Tim McMullan), who is engrossed in writing a tedious history book. Living with them is her discontented sister-in-law Muriel (Louise Brealey), who hasn’t seen her son in over two years, contributing to Susan’s isolation.
To cope, Susan weaves a vibrant imaginary family, including her vivacious daughter Lucy (Safia Oakley-Green), who epitomizes the idealized life she yearns for, complete with luxury and celebration. The stark contrast between this imaginary world and her stark reality amplifies the thematic explorations of loneliness and dissatisfaction.
As the sole character on stage throughout the production directed by Michael Longhurst, Smith delivers a commendable performance but misses opportunities to express the profound depths of Susan’s despair. Often resorting to nervous laughter at pivotal moments, she doesn’t allow the gravity of the narrative to fully resonate.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan makes his stage debut as the bumbling doctor Bill, who tends to Susan after her injury. While it’s a respectable first venture, his character’s traits, such as incessantly fiddling with his glasses, may come off as excessive by the play’s conclusion.
Despite some pacing issues, particularly in its second half, Longhurst’s direction showcases creativity, notably through the innovative use of the stage safety curtain that hovers between worlds, thus reinforcing the theme of Susan’s struggle with her reality.
Woman in Mind runs until 28 February before touring to Sunderland and Glasgow. Visit womaninmindplay.com for more information.
