First look photos from Sheila’s Island UK tour

First look photos from the new tour of Sheila’s Island have been revealed!

A gender-swapped version of Tim Firth’s comedy Neville’s Island, Sheila’s Island is described as “The Office meets Lord of the Flies meets Miranda.”

The new UK tour is produced by Yvonne Arnaud and directed by Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s Director and Chief Executive Joanna Read.

The cast will feature Olivier Award winner Sara Crowe (Private Lives, Calendar Girls the Musical, Four Weddings and a Funeral), Eastern Eye Award winner Rina Fatania (Waking/Walking, Dead Dog in a Suitcase), Judy Flynn (The Brittas Empire, Dinnerladies) and Abigail Thaw (Endeavour).

A teaser of the show shares: “Bonfire night 2019 and Sheila, Denise, Julie, and Fay are Team C in Pennine Mineral Water Ltd.’s annual outward bound team-building weekend.

“Somehow, Marketing Manager Sheila has been nominated team leader, and, using her cryptic crossword solving skills, has unwittingly stranded her team on an island in the Lake District. As the mobile batteries die, and cold and hunger take over, our intrepid heroines find themselves called on to manufacture escape routes using cable ties and spatulas and create a rescue flag with plastic plates and a toasting fork.

“Is it possible to build an adequate night shelter with a prom dress and a sleeveless jumper? Is there an I in Team? And do endless verses of Kumbaya really keep up spirits?”

Tim Firth said: “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 commented: “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.”

For tour dates, venues and tickets visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk