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Comedian Romesh Ranganathan is set to transition from television to live theatre, starring alongside Sheridan Smith in a highly anticipated revival of Alan Ayckbourn\u2019s ‘Woman in Mind’ at the Duke of York\u2019s Theatre, with a tour planned across the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2019s Duke of York\u2019s 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\u2019s career, transitioning from his well-established presence in television and radio to the demands and nuances of live theatre.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cI do say no to stuff,\u201d he told BBC News. \u201cPeople say to me \u2018you’re on everything\u2019 \u2013 that accusation has been levelled at me. But I feel like whenever I\u2019m thinking about doing something, I\u2019m just asking, do I think this will be good, is it something I\u2019d watch, is it something I think I\u2019d be able to do a decent job at?\u201d He adds with a laugh, \u201cObviously I need a fee as well, there’s no point in doing it totally for the love of the game.\u201d Ranganathan\u2019s approach highlights the delicate balancing act that familiar TV faces often face in managing public perception while expanding their artistic range.<\/p>\n
The role Ranganathan will portray in Woman in Mind is that of the doctor who serves as the only link between the protagonist\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s prestige and the production\u2019s high expectations.<\/p>\n
Sheridan Smith, the show\u2019s 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 \u201cbonkers and brilliant,\u201d with a blend of comedy and darkness. She called the role \u201can amazing part for an actress\u201d and highlighted its farcical elements.<\/p>\n
Ranganathan described working alongside Smith as both \u201cexciting and intimidating\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The production\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n