Comedian Romesh Ranganathan is set to make his West End debut later this year, joining Sheridan Smith in a new production of Alan Ayckbourn's play Woman in Mind. The show will begin its run at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre on 9 December 2025 and continue until 28 February 2026, followed by a tour with performances scheduled at Sunderland Empire and Theatre Royal Glasgow in March 2026. This marks a significant new chapter in Ranganathan’s career, transitioning from his well-established presence in television and radio to the demands and nuances of live theatre.

Ranganathan, 47, is widely recognised across British entertainment for his work on The Weakest Link, A League of Their Own, and various documentaries and sitcoms, as well as hosting the TV Baftas and a BBC Radio 2 weekend show. Despite this ubiquity, he acknowledges the pitfalls of overexposure and insists that he is selective about the projects he takes on. “I do say no to stuff,” he told BBC News. “People say to me ‘you're on everything’ – that accusation has been levelled at me. But I feel like whenever I’m thinking about doing something, I’m just asking, do I think this will be good, is it something I’d watch, is it something I think I’d be able to do a decent job at?” He adds with a laugh, “Obviously I need a fee as well, there's no point in doing it totally for the love of the game.” Ranganathan’s approach highlights the delicate balancing act that familiar TV faces often face in managing public perception while expanding their artistic range.

The role Ranganathan will portray in Woman in Mind is that of the doctor who serves as the only link between the protagonist’s real and imagined worlds. The psychological comedy, which debuted in 1985, centres on Susan, a woman who suffers a head injury after an accident and begins to live in a fantasy that blurs with reality. The play is regarded as one of Alan Ayckbourn’s finest works, combining humour with increasingly dark and complex themes. Notable past interpreters of Susan include Stockard Channing, Julia McKenzie, and Dame Helen Mirren, underscoring the part’s prestige and the production’s high expectations.

Sheridan Smith, the show’s lead, has an extensive and celebrated theatrical CV alongside her television and film credits. Rising to fame through sitcoms such as The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, she later took on acclaimed stage roles in productions like Funny Girl and Shirley Valentine, winning two Olivier Awards for Legally Blonde and Flare Path. Smith herself expressed enthusiasm about the project in a recent interview on BBC Radio 2, describing the play as “bonkers and brilliant,” with a blend of comedy and darkness. She called the role “an amazing part for an actress” and highlighted its farcical elements.

Ranganathan described working alongside Smith as both “exciting and intimidating” due to her extraordinary talent and experience. He acknowledged the pressure his own performance might face in comparison but expressed eagerness to collaborate with her for the first time. Their dynamic will be central to the success of the highly anticipated revival, which is part of a broader trend of reviving classic British plays with fresh casts to new audiences in London and beyond.

The production’s scheduled tour to Sunderland and Glasgow reflects a continued effort to bring notable West End shows to regional theatres, broadening access to high-quality performances outside the capital. This approach helps sustain theatre culture across the UK and allows actors like Smith and Ranganathan to connect with a wide range of audiences.

As Romesh Ranganathan makes this leap into theatre, it will be interesting to see how audiences respond to his stage debut, and whether his instincts about choosing roles carefully will continue to serve him well. Given the stature of his co-star and the pedigree of the play itself, Woman in Mind promises to be a highlight of the upcoming theatrical season.

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Source: Noah Wire Services