TV ACTOR Sharon Small will star in a major new stage production of Lisa Genova’s bestselling novel Still Alice.

Christine Mary Dunford has adapted the novel for performances at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds from February 9 to March 3. The play and explores the effects of early-onset dementia on identity, family and relationships, in an uncompromising yet tender portrayal.

Still Alice opens the theatre’s Every Third Minute festival, a pioneering festival of theatre, dementia and hope that is the first of its kind.

Sharon Small, most recently appeared in the BBC’s Trust Me and Channel 4’s Born to Kill and is well known for the BBC’s The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. In the play Sharon plays Alice opposite Side and Witness’s Ruth Gemmell in the role of Herself, Alice’s inner thoughts.

Still Alice sees driven professional Alice Howland, a university professor at the top of her game, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 50. Compelled to confront her new reality, she draws on her resilience to remain independent, fighting to maintain her identity as her world changes.

Director David Grindley said ‘I’m delighted to be working with such an incredibly talented cast and creative team, and I’m looking forward to sharing such an affecting story with Leeds audiences. This production has a very rich context, rooted in the Playhouse’s pioneering work with people living with dementia, marking a key moment as part of the Every Third Minute festival.’

Visit wyp.org.uk or call 0113 2137700 to book tickets.