Sheila’s Island, a new comedy drama by Tim Firth – the award-winning writer of Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots and the Take That musical, The Band – visits the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 10^th to Saturday 14^th May on its first UK tour.

The all-star cast of Olivier Award winner Sara Crowe (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Private Lives), Judy Flynn (Dinnerladies, Call The Midwife), Abigail Thaw (Endeavour) and Eastern Eye Award-winner Rina Fatania – tell us more about the sharp-witted new comedy akin to The Office meets Lord of the Flies meets Miranda and how they feel about the great outdoors.

Q: It’s been a difficult time for theatre, to say the least. Sheila’s Island was first scheduled to tour in 2020. How pleased are you to be able to bring it to the stage now?

Judy: I am so excited to finally start. I was worried it might never happen. It’s such a funny play and I’m really enjoying being part of a company again. Jo, our director, has created such a friendly and supportive atmosphere so we’re all really enjoying rehearsals.

Abigail: It’s very exciting, a little bit like coming out of a cocoon. There’s a lot of hope that we can contribute to repairing the damage to theatres caused by last 2 years.

Sara: I was delighted to hear that the play was going to finally be possible! Although, as a result of all the postponements, I now have a nagging little afterthought of ‘if it happens…’ The last two years really do make you appreciate things being able to go ahead with a little bit of certainty!

Rina: I have been lucky enough to be in two theatre shows last year, so I was thrilled to be back in the room at the start of 2022. It’s a fun team with gorgeous girls and we are laughing loads – something we all need!

Q: What did you think of your character when you first read the script?

Judy: I thought I’d really enjoying playing Sheila. She’s easy to get along with and has a sunny disposition but she also has a lot of resilience.

Abigail: Denise seemed great fun to play. She’s generally unpleasant most of the time and it’s always fun to play a ‘baddie’ and figure out what makes them tick!

Sara: Fay is a paradox. She seemed a simple soul at first, a bit of a boffin, a great lover of nature and very kind and generous, but she has a dark side which under pressure comes to the fore.

Rina: I loved Julie from the first read! She has great journey throughout the piece. Personality wise, she is nothing like me, she’s the total opposite! She is a planner and is very organised. I am more last minute.com. Oh dear!

Q: Do you get many scripts sent to you that focus on four women, especially a comedy?

Judy: I actually did a play in Sheffield called ‘Chicken Soup’ four years ago that had a cast of five women, but it was more of a dramatic piece. Sheila’s Island is an out and out comedy and I haven’t done one of those before with an all-woman cast.

Abigail: Have NEVER received a comedy of four women!

Sara: I guess it is a bit unusual for a play to feature four women. The connection, rivalry and comedy between the characters is multi layered, from the sublime to the ridiculous!

Rina: I have had many comedy scripts, but this my first for 4 women. It’s a total treat.

Q: Do you enjoy the great outdoors?

Judy: Yes, I love the outdoors. When I was a child all our family holidays were spent in the Lake District and as a result all the family love fell walking. I now live on the south coast and walk by the sea almost every day. And I’m lucky enough to live right next to a nature reserve so I’m now learning more about the birdlife and all the different plants and insects.

Abigail: I love the outdoors. I have to get out of London when I can. I’m lucky enough to live near a lot of parks and the Heath so I haven’t had to join a gym in years. Love the ponds too.

Sara: Definitely! I think I prefer the great outdoors to the great indoors and have always been outdoorsy. I don’t mind the rain or the cold either, must be my good Celtic blood! One of the best things about being out in the fresh air on a wintery day, is getting back in and getting the kettle on. The outdoor bit that makes the indoor bit that much sweeter.

Rina: Yes, especially if there is water, especially seas, and rivers as I find it very calming. Even better if there is cute country pub nearby!

Q: How do you think you would manage if you got stuck in a similar situation? What role would you take? Would you take the lead or go into a panic?

Judy: I am the sort of person who would get stuck in this situation as I have a terrible sense of direction. Don’t ask me where north is or put me in charge of the map. I have been lost so many times. I don’t think I’d panic and I’m good at making the best of a bad situation. I think I would be like Sheila and try and keep everyone’s spirits up.

Abigail: Probably both. Get very panicky at first and then very bossy.

Sara: I think I’d take that leader role. Unless there were spiders. If there were spiders, I’d go to a hotel!

Rina: I’d probably freak out, especially at night-time. I hate creepy-crawlies. I’d probably take on the role of Denise (without her mean spirit). If I’m really scared and worried, I’d channel a little bit of Fay, and say a couple of prayers.

Q: What are you most looking forward to on this tour?

Judy: Just to be getting out on the road with such a funny play and spending time with the cast and crew.

Abigail: Going to all the different venues! It’s been a while since I toured, and after the beating theatre has received now seems like a good time to get out there. Also, being with three other women in a comedy – what a treat! There should be a lot of laughing. And walking. And eating.

Sara: Visiting old haunts, and the sense of relief that theatres are able to open again.

Q: Why do you think audiences will enjoy Sheila’s Island?

Judy: It’s very relatable – I’m sure that audiences will see themselves in one or other of the characters. I’m hoping they’ll have a right good laugh.

Abigail: As Denise says in the play, ‘we need a good laugh’ – this play does just that! The others are very funny women who I’ve watched over the years and I’m proud to be working with. And that includes Joanna Read who I’ve worked with before. And Tim is a wonderful writer. So, what’s not to love?

Sara: I think everyone can relate to the premise of finding themselves in an unexpected situation – how galling it would be to be out of your comfort zone without food, water, warmth, or shelter.

Such extreme circumstances can give rise to some pretty ridiculous predicaments, but what is comedy but making the unbearable bearable?!

Rina: It’s very funny!  Flipping the original show Neil’s Island to an all-female cast genius – It totally works. 

Sheila’s Island appears the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 10^th to Saturday 14^th May. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Photo credit:  Craig Fuller