Cast announced for world premiere of Sheila’s Island by Tim Firth

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Sheila’s Island by Tim Firth.

A gender-swapped version of Firth’s comedy Neville’s Island, the new Yvonne Arnaud production will be heading out on a UK tour from February to May 2022.

Olivier Award winner Sara Crowe (Private Lives, Aldwych Theatre; Calendar Girls the Musical, UK Tour and West End; Four Weddings and a Funeral), Eastern Eye Award winner Rina Fatania (Waking/Walking, Kiln Theatre; Dead Dog in a Suitcase, UK and International tour), Judy Flynn (The Brittas Empire, BBC; Dinnerladies, BBC), and Abigail Thaw (Endeavour, ITV).

Rooted in the everyday lives of four women finding themselves truly out of their comfort zones, Sheila’s Island examines what lies beneath the superficiality of office relationships. With vulnerability, viciousness, painful honesty and great wit, we can all (female or male) see some of ourselves in Sheila, Denise, Fay and Julie.

Tim Firth commented: “As a male writer I initially thought what happens on the island could only happen between men. It took Joanna Read to remind me that shoddy, childish and viciously destructive behaviour is not the exclusive preserve of the male sex.”

Joanna Read, Director of Sheila’s Island and Chief Executive of Yvonne Arnaud Theatre added: “I’ve had a very enjoyable time demonstrating to Tim quite how mean women can be. I’m thrilled to be working with such a talented, well-known cast. They have so much comedy experience between them it’s going to be hysterical working together.”

The piece has set & costume design by Liz Cooke, lighting design by Paul Anderson and composition & sound design by Jon Nicholls.

For tickets and dates, visit https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/touring/sheilas-island

Image credit: Ollie Rosser and Michael Wharley