Romesh Ranganathan Takes a West End Bow in Woman in Mind
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan is gearing up for a landmark moment in his career: his West End debut. From December, he will co-star opposite Sheridan Smith in Alan Ayckbourn’s psychological comedy Woman in Mind, a production that promises both theatrical prestige and the potential dangers of overexposure in a crowded media landscape.
The 47-year-old presenter and comic is already a familiar face across British television and radio. His CV spans The Weakest Link, A League of Their Own, a BBC Radio 2 show, hosting the TV Baftas, and a slate of documentaries and sitcoms. Yet the move to the stage represents a new kind of challenge: a sustained, live performance where audience perception can evolve quickly and the spotlight never truly dims.
Ranganathan is candid about his selective approach to work. “I do say no to stuff,” he tells BBC News with characteristic humor. “I’m not just walking around taking whatever’s offered.” He emphasizes a simple criterion: would he watch it? Would he believe he could perform it well? And if the answer is yes, opportunity can win out over fear of overexposure.
In a career where top-tier names like Ant and Dec, Michael McIntyre, and Claudia Winkleman balance multiple projects, Ranganathan acknowledges the pressures of staying visible without saturating the market. “I understand the thing about overexposure, but if that happens, it happens,” he says. His strategy, he says, is to trust his gut: “Usually you have a feeling about whether something’s good or you’ll be good for it.”
Despite the risk of fan fatigue, the decision to join Woman in Mind appears rooted in artistic curiosity and personal momentum. The play, adapted for the stage and directed by Michael Longhurst, follows Susan, a woman whose accident opens a doorway to a vivid internal world where fantasy and reality blur. Ranganathan will portray the doctor who acts as the thread between these two realms, a role that marks a first foray into theatre acting for the stand-up star.
“Since primary school,” he quips about his onstage debut, recalling a humble role as a second shepherd in the Nativity. The new production, running at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre from 9 December to 28 February, with additional dates in Sunderland and Glasgow in March, is positioned as a high-profile tests of his stagecraft and versatility. Ranganathan stresses that his aim is to honor the material and honor the audience, not to chase sensation.
What the project means for his career
Ranganathan’s move to the stage is more than a vanity project; it’s a deliberate expansion of his portfolio at a time when streaming and television formats have intensified competition for public attention. He points to a broader industry trend: even the most enduring celebrities must navigate how often they appear, and in what formats, to maintain relevance without wearing out their welcome.
Beyond the immediate challenge of performing on stage, the actor is aware of how live theatre can recalibrate an audience’s perception of a familiar figure. The risk, as he frames it, is not just about the number of projects but about maintaining quality and authenticity in each role. “What makes you do it? It’s whether it’s good and whether you can do a decent job,” he reflects, underscoring the enduring appeal of craft over cadence.
As preparations proceed, fans will watch to see how the onstage collaboration with Sheridan Smith unfolds and whether the production’s psychological tension translates into a fresh, electrifying West End experience. If the response mirrors Ranganathan’s stated approach—careful selection, gut-driven choices, and a commitment to the work—the 2024/25 season could mark a pivotal moment in his career, reinforcing the idea that long-term exposure can be managed with intention and talent.
Looking Ahead
With Woman in Mind on the horizon, Romesh Ranganathan is balancing his ambitions with a pragmatic view of public appetite. His measured approach to accepting roles—paired with an evident passion for theatre—suggests a thoughtful path forward for a comedian who continues to reinvent his public persona while staying true to his craft.
