'Susan' Stands the Test of Time with Its Bold Originality
In a West End revival that's as pertinent as it is provocative, Sheridan Smith shines in Alan Ayckbourn's 1985 classic 'Susan'. The play tells the story of a mentally fragile woman who, after taking a knock to the head with a garden rake, finds herself trapped in an alternate, hallucinatory world. This world is a picture-perfect family, replete with a husband as sexually hungry as he is emotionally distant, children who adore him unconditionally, and siblings who cater to his every whim.
As Susan navigates this surreal landscape, she begins to unravel the layers of her own fragile psyche. The play's tone veers wildly between retro comedy, high-pitched drama, and supernatural farce, creating a sense of inconsistency that may be deliberate. While some scenes feel over-the-top, others are unnervingly effective, making for a viewing experience that's both captivating and unsettling.
Sheridan Smith brings her trademark whimsy to the role, imbuing Susan with a vulnerability that's impossible to ignore. Her performance is tempered by the supporting cast, who deliver solid, if somewhat one-dimensional, performances as Susan's eccentric family members. Sule Rimi shines as Andy, the sexually voracious husband, while Safia Oakley-Green brings warmth and adoration to her portrayal of Lucy, the adoring daughter.
Michael Longhurst's direction brings the play to life with a striking, hyper-real set design that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The use of colour is particularly noteworthy, veering wildly from retro-inspired browns and mustards to garish pinks, purples, and yellows that add to the overall sense of unease.
Forty years on, 'Susan' remains a scathing critique of married life and the desperation that can build up inside. The play is less about its originality than its continued relevance in a world that seems increasingly bleak. By facing up to the emptiness and desperation head-on, Ayckbourn's masterpiece asks uncomfortable questions about our relationship with reality and fantasy.
A revival that's worth reviving at a time when the real world looks so bleak, 'Susan' is an unnerving and thought-provoking experience that will leave you questioning what it means to face up to one's demons. With its bold originality and stunning performances, this play remains as timely as ever – don't miss your chance to see it at Duke of York's Theatre in London until February 28th, followed by engagements at Sunderland Empire and Theatre Royal, Glasgow, from March 4-14th.
In a West End revival that's as pertinent as it is provocative, Sheridan Smith shines in Alan Ayckbourn's 1985 classic 'Susan'. The play tells the story of a mentally fragile woman who, after taking a knock to the head with a garden rake, finds herself trapped in an alternate, hallucinatory world. This world is a picture-perfect family, replete with a husband as sexually hungry as he is emotionally distant, children who adore him unconditionally, and siblings who cater to his every whim.
As Susan navigates this surreal landscape, she begins to unravel the layers of her own fragile psyche. The play's tone veers wildly between retro comedy, high-pitched drama, and supernatural farce, creating a sense of inconsistency that may be deliberate. While some scenes feel over-the-top, others are unnervingly effective, making for a viewing experience that's both captivating and unsettling.
Sheridan Smith brings her trademark whimsy to the role, imbuing Susan with a vulnerability that's impossible to ignore. Her performance is tempered by the supporting cast, who deliver solid, if somewhat one-dimensional, performances as Susan's eccentric family members. Sule Rimi shines as Andy, the sexually voracious husband, while Safia Oakley-Green brings warmth and adoration to her portrayal of Lucy, the adoring daughter.
Michael Longhurst's direction brings the play to life with a striking, hyper-real set design that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The use of colour is particularly noteworthy, veering wildly from retro-inspired browns and mustards to garish pinks, purples, and yellows that add to the overall sense of unease.
Forty years on, 'Susan' remains a scathing critique of married life and the desperation that can build up inside. The play is less about its originality than its continued relevance in a world that seems increasingly bleak. By facing up to the emptiness and desperation head-on, Ayckbourn's masterpiece asks uncomfortable questions about our relationship with reality and fantasy.
A revival that's worth reviving at a time when the real world looks so bleak, 'Susan' is an unnerving and thought-provoking experience that will leave you questioning what it means to face up to one's demons. With its bold originality and stunning performances, this play remains as timely as ever – don't miss your chance to see it at Duke of York's Theatre in London until February 28th, followed by engagements at Sunderland Empire and Theatre Royal, Glasgow, from March 4-14th.
. The way Sheridan Smith brings Susan to life with her trademark vulnerability and whimsy is just mesmerizing, and I love how the supporting cast adds their own layer of complexity to the story.
. The set design and colour scheme are pure genius - it's like stepping into a surreal dreamscape where reality and fantasy blur together.
. And the supporting cast, Sule Rimi as Andy is just on another level 
. But what I loved most was how it makes you question reality vs fantasy, its like Ayckbourn is saying we're all living in a dream or something 
. My friend Emily said it's kinda like when we watch horror movies and we're like "wait this is getting too real" 
. Anyway, if you haven't seen 'Susan' yet, do yourself a favor and get tickets ASAP 
just saw the most mind-blowing play adaptation of 'Susan' and I am still reeling from the experience 
I love how it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, adding to the overall sense of unease and discomfort. It's like you're trapped in Susan's world, unsure what's real and what's not 
. The set design is insane too! It's like stepping into a dream world that's both captivating and unsettling. I think what resonates with me the most is how the play critiques our relationship with reality and fantasy at a time when things feel really bleak 
. We all need to face up to our demons sometimes, and this play asks us some tough questions. Definitely worth seeing if you haven't already! 
she's like the ultimate girl crush but also kinda terrifying at the same time 
that hyper-real aesthetic is SO on point! and can we talk about the themes of marriage and reality for a sec? it's like, susan is this ultimate commentary on how messed up our relationships can get 
anyway, i'm low-key obsessed with 'susan' now and need to get tickets ASAP 
Sheridan Smith as Susan is, like, totally captivating 
It's like a dream world come true... or is it? The way Michael Longhurst balances all these contrasting tones and colors is pure genius. I'm not gonna lie, some scenes did feel a bit over-the-top at times 
but that's part of what makes 'Susan' so fascinating - it's unapologetically weird 
And I love how the play still holds up today, asking all these tough questions about reality and fantasy 
It's like, we need more plays like this right now