AFTER enjoying a high flying it would be understandable if success had gone to Thea Sharrock's head,

But nothing could be further from the truth.

At just 25 years of age, Thea has achieved what many would strive to have at the end of many more years service to the theatre industry.

She is the youngest ever female artistic director in the UK after gaining the position at the Southwark Playhouse, but she is keen to underplay her achievements and remain highly modest about them.

There is also another reason why Thea, who is about to visit the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham with her adaptation of Caryl Churchill's classic play Top Girls, is so modest, and it is no doubt the reason she has achieved such great heights and recognition with.

She simply doesn't see it as her success, she believes it's about "teamwork."

"It's a team effort involving me, the actors, set designers and lighting crew," she said.

"Together we make plays work. I couldn't do it without working with them and listening to what they feel is needed.

"Being a director is about being a good listener."

After scooping the highly prestigious James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust Award for the Young Director of the Year award with Top Girls, she went on to receive rave reviews of the production at London's Battersea play house.

Yet one of the people who saw her acclaimed production was Dominique Dromgoole, artistic director for the Oxford Stage Company, who asked her

to direct their forthcoming UK tour of Top Girls. The comedy, which has been described as one of the leading plays of the 20th Century, follows the changing role of women during the centuries, ending with the female Yuppies of the 80s.

The play starts with an opening scene of a dinner party hosted by hard-nosed yuppie Marlene, followed by scenes looking at the sacrifices made by women to get the "top jobs." But don't worry, although poignant, the play has received acclaim for its comic brilliance.

"I wanted to direct Top Girls singularly because it's so well written," added Thea.

"It's not that I feel it's relevant to me, I just was completely blown away by the play and wanted to direct it."

Tickets to the comedy, which cost between £6 and £16, are available from the theatre's box office on 01242 573573. The play runs from October 23.