JUDY FLYNN AND SARA CROWE STAR IN SHEILA’S ISLAND TOUR 2022
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to produce the premiere and national tour of Sheila’s Island by Tim Firth.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford is delighted to announce that we will be producing and touring Sheila’s Island by Tim Firth in Spring 2022. The show will premiere in Guildford from 10 to 19 February, then tour nationally.
Starring Judy Flynn as Sheila and Sara Crowe as Fay, with more star casting to be announced, Sheila’s Island is a sparkling new version of Tim Firth’s sharp-witted comedy Neville’s Island, to be directed by Joanna Read.
Sheila, Denise, Julie, and Fay are Team C in Pennine Mineral Water Ltd.’s annual outward bound team-building weekend on Derwent water. They have an ordnance survey map, a compass and a list of clues. What could possibly go wrong?
Tim Firth is the writer of multiple award-winning films, stage and TV productions, including Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, The Band, Our House, The Girls and All Quiet on the Preston Front. He previously worked with Joanna on The Corstorphine Road Nativity at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre.
Tim says ‘As a male writer I initially thought what happens on the island could only happen between men. It took Jo to remind me that shoddy, childish and viciously destructive behaviour is not the exclusive preserve of the male sex’.
‘I’ve had a very enjoyable time demonstrating to Tim quite how mean women can be.’ added Joanna
The instantly recognisable Judy Flynn is best known for her appearances in some of TVs best-loved dramas and comedies, including Dinnerladies, Call the Midwife and Shameless. Judy’s theatre credits include Chicken Soup, East is East, Emil & the Detectives, and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.
Sara Crowe is an Olivier Award-winner known for her numerous film, TV and stage performances, including Private Lives, Calendar Girls and Acorn Antiques: the Musical, as well as the role of Laura in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Joanna Read joined the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in January 2019, as Director and Chief Executive. She was previously Artistic Director of Salisbury Playhouse.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre opened its doors in 1965 and built an impressive reputation as a producer of significant work, much of which transferred to the West End and toured nationally. This new tour is at the forefront of Joanna Read’s commitment to re-establishing the theatre as a maker of great productions for Guildford, and beyond.