Sheridan Smith’s critically slammed, fourth-wall breaking play Opening Night has been canned two months early – and a visit to London’s Gielgud Theatre reveals patrons were falling asleep or walking out halfway through.
Theatregoers watching Sheridan Smith’s under-fire West End performance were heard whispering ‘I don’t get it’ to each other during the interval, MailOnline can reveal – with one audience member nodding off during the troubled show.
The show sees Smith play an actress with mental health issues who unravels on stage and outside – in a scene filmed live for the audience showing her stumbling into the streets of London in a ‘drunken’ stupor.
Opening Night will have its closing day sooner than anticipated after producers announced this week it was to wrap up two months early, citing a ‘challenging financial landscape’.
And audience members who turned out for the play as the final curtain looms admitted to MailOnline they found the show ‘disjointed’ – as others turned out at the bar for a top-up on their wine to see them through to the end.
Theatre-goers turned out in their hundreds to watch the first performance of Sheridan Smith’s Opening Night since producers announced its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London was to be cut short
The show stars Sheridan Smith as a washed-up actress whose life unravels as she prepares to take on a huge new Broadway play
The fourth-wall shattering play sees Smith stumble out into the streets of London in a mock drunken stupor as her character comes undone (pictured in character)
Smith’s performance is among the handful of positives cited by critics, including for the scenes in which she stumbles into the street, filmed live for the audience inside
Fans queue up at the Gielgud Theatre to watch Sheridan Smith’s Opening Night this evening
Sheridan Smith seen acting out in the road in Soho while filming scenes for new musical Opening Night
Theatregoers outside the theatre this evening during the interval of Opening Night
Actor Danni said: ‘It was terrible. This is the first time I’ve walked out from a West End play. It was just very confusing- none of us got what they were trying to do.
‘I thought Sheridan was fantastic but I couldn’t work out whether she was the main character in the play or one of the supporting cast.
‘I expected something that was cohesive and it just wasn’t. There were three screens up around the stage and they were distracting and disconcerting.’
Theo, another audience member that walked out, added: ‘We just couldn’t work out what was going on. What was it? What have we just seen. None of is could say. We literally lost the plot.’
MailOnline found empty seats at the theatre on Thursday evening’s performance, with a notable absence even in the front row.
As the show got underway, jokes were met with ‘bewildered stares from the audience with friends looking at each other as if it say “I don’t get it”‘, a reporter watching the play said.
During the intermission one man was seen asking his wife, ‘Do you get it?’, to which she shrugged.
In the foyer, audience members stood around looking confused. One woman with an empty glass of wine asked her friend ‘Do you think we need another one?’, before they both laughed and walked over to the bar.
One theatre-goer said as she enjoyed a cigarette at the interval: ‘To be honest, it’s a bit disjointed. It’s quite difficult to follow but I’m sticking with it. I’ve paid for my ticket, I’ve been looking forward to it, so I’m going to see it through to the end.’
Meanwhile, some fans had been forced to bring their theatre trip forward after the theatre contacted them to warn that the much-slated play was to close early.
When the audience returned after the intermission it was clear that some had left, with even bigger gaps of empty seats appearing.
Despite this, Sheridan received a standing ovation at the end of the show from the loyal fans who stuck around to see the whole performance.
The actress, who was wearing a bandage around her visibly injured left foot, was greeted by fans as she left the theatre. One dedicated supporter even handed her a bunch of flowers.
She spent ten minutes giving out hugs and posing for selfies with the group that had gathered around to see her.
Veteran Radio presenter Alex Lester and his wife Kerry said they didn’t regret turning out for the show branded ‘muddled’ and ‘boring’ and said Sheridan Smith would ‘bounce back’
Sheridan was handed a bunch of flowers by fans waiting for her outside after the show who she spent ten minutes with posing for pictures and giving out hugs
Brian and Pat Parker (pictured) from south-east London said they ‘loved’ the show and ‘couldn’t fault it’
Joe Cowan (left) and Jane Croucher (middle) waited for Sheridan after the show and said they loved the show because it was ‘mad and different’
Sheridan posing with another dedicated fan who met her outside the stage doors as the actress left
Veteran radio presenter Alex Lester and his wife Kerry said they didn’t regret turning out for the show branded ‘muddled’ and ‘boring’.
Kerry, 62, said: ‘We’re both big Rufus Wainwright fans and when we went to see him in concert he said how much he loved Sheridan after meeting her.
‘So we just decided we wanted to see the show.’
Former BBC Radio 2 host Alex, 67, added: ‘We’re not at all put off by the cancellation and if we didn’t go to a show because of a bad review then we’d never see anything at all.’
Brian and Pat Parker from south-east London poured out their enthusiasm for the production.
Pat said: ‘It was really good. Sheridan was excellent, and the music was brilliant.’
Brian added: ‘We loved it. We really did- couldn’t fault it.’
Joe Cowan said: ‘It wasn’t just the music, I got it. It was very different and very layered. It was like a play within a play or like a Russian doll of a play with other folls hidden inside.’
Jane Croucher, who waited behind to cheer Sheridan afterwards, said: ‘I loved it because it’s mad and different.
‘She was brilliant. I didn’t think it was confusing and she showed how good a singer and actor she is.’
Even before the show began, her fans were looking forward to it and insisted Sheridan would ‘bounce back’ from the critical disaster.
Nicki Shepherd, 53, and daughter Emily Dicker, 18, from Guildford, said they received an email saying their original June performance would not now go ahead.
Emily said: ‘I think it’s really interesting to know why ticket sales haven’t gone as planned.
Nicky added: ‘We got an email earlier on saying that our performance in June had been cancelled.
‘So we can either get an exchange for an earlier date or a refund. We couldn’t do an earlier date because Emily is at university. So we thought we’d come today last minute.’
Sheridan’s Smith problem-plagued West End musical, Opening Night, has today been cancelled – she was pictured here leaving the Gielgud Theatre in London after last night’s show
Theatre-goers head into the Gielgud Theatre in London this evening to watch Opening Night after the announcement that the show will end two months earlier than expected
Emily added: ‘The reviews have been mixed but we’re both big theatre fans and Sheridan Smith is such a wonderful actress so we had to see it.
‘Another fan, who gave her name as Caroline, said: ‘I came because of Sheridan- she’s such a great actress. She’s been brilliant in all her TV dramas so I couldn’t miss the chance of seeing her live.
‘This is a disappointment for her, sure, but she will bounce back. She has had a bad press but she keeps coming back. She’s so versatile.’
One wheelchair-bound fan said as he went in: ‘It’s a great shame but I haven’t seen it yet. I’m a big fan of Sheridan and a big fan of Amy Lennox.
‘The reviews have been very mixed but I always like to make up my own mind. I don’t regret buying my ticket- let’s wait and see.’
Announcing the news on Thursday, the show’s production team said that the play ‘may not have had the life we had hoped for’.
Sheridan recently implored people to come and see the show after it was slammed by theatregoers who claimed it was ‘boring’ and walked out half way through.
However, it seems her plea wasn’t enough to mobilise audiences for the poorly reviewed play – directed by Ivo Van Hove and with music by Rufus Wainwright – which producers have now admitted was ‘always a risk’.
Fans queue up at the Gielgud Theatre to watch Sheridan Smith’s Opening Night tonight, which began at 7.30pm
Some fans were forced to bring their theatre trip forward after the theatre contacted them to warn that the much-slated play was to close early
Opening Night will now end its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London on Saturday May 18, two months earlier than originally planned on July 27 (Sheridan pictured at the play’s press night)
Announcing the news on Thursday, the production team said that the play ‘may not have had the life we had hoped for’
Sheridan was seen smiling, dressed down in a sweater and jogging bottoms, as she came away from the theatre after last night’s performance.
She was given moral support by her friend Charley Webb who had attended the show, as well as words of wisdom and encouragement from fans who had gathered at the stage door.
Charley popped to a nearby shop to buy cigarettes and biscuits before the pair set off in the same car.
Announcing the early end of the run today, producers Wessex Grove said: ‘It is an honour to produce this beautiful new musical in the West End, and everyone at Wessex Grove is proud to have delivered the artistic vision of Ivo Van Hove and Rufus Wainwright and their incredible team, led by the exquisite Sheridan Smith.
‘In a challenging financial landscape, Opening Night was always a risk and, while the production may not have had the life we had hoped for, we feel immensely proud of the risk we took and of this extraordinary production.
‘Our world class cast delivers a brilliant show night after night, and there are still five weeks left to see Sheridan Smith in the role of a lifetime. What is sure-fire and safe has its place.
‘But Wessex Grove exists to produce great artists in the West End and to provide the space for original, artist-led productions in the commercial sector, productions exactly like Opening Night. We’re grateful for all of the support everyone has given us as we made this show, and look forward to celebrating the rest of the run.’
It comes just days after the musical was hit by another issue when Sheridan was ‘banned’ from leaving the theatre due to a nearby crime scene.
The show is performed in a venue situated between two pubs in London’s West End, naturally attracting rowdy drinkers.
During the show, Sheridan’s character Myrtle Gordon goes out onto the street to perform a scene while the audience watch from a screen inside – which has been surprising and sometimes fooling passers-by outdoors.
Myrtle, who is a functioning alcoholic actress, is filmed slumped outside the stage door, however her regular routine was interrupted by a police incident nearby.
She told The Chris Evans Breakfast show on Virgin Radio: ‘Security wouldn’t let me go out too far the other night because someone was being arrested and restrained.
‘I was like, ‘It’s fine, it doesn’t matter and they were like, ‘No, no you can’t go too far over that way’. So I had to start the scene a bit closer to the stage door.’
Sheridan also revealed that the location of the theatre can cause issues, as drunk revellers sometimes come and try and help her up.
She said: ‘It’s right between two pubs, so people are all outside hammered and they want to come and try and help me.’
Director Ivo has today defended the play, describing leading lady Sheridan as ‘brave’ for accepting the complex role in the production.
He said: ‘I had the most wonderful and inspiring time making Opening Night thanks to the talent and commitment of our incredible cast and production team.
‘They were led by the exceptional Sheridan Smith, who had the bravery to play such a complex role in the West End. I try to be fearless and sincere in everything I make.
Sheridan recently implored people to come and see the show after it was slammed by theatre goers who claimed it was ‘boring’ and walked out half way through
‘With Rufus’s beautiful music, we made something totally unique and true to John Cassavetes’ daring exploration of the human condition.
‘It will forever have a special place in my heart. It is always sad when a show closes early but I know that Opening Night will live long in the memories of those who saw it and made it.’
It was revealed earlier this week that ticket prices have been slashed for the show.
Sheridan stars as Myrtle in the new musical – which is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.
However fans have been left baffled and bored by the production, with scores of theatregoers streaming out of the show nearly every evening since its March 6 debut, complaining about the bewildering plot.
Reporters who attended Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre saw at least 50 audience members leave during the interval on two separate evenings last week. Staff at the theatre confirmed it was a regular occurrence.
‘Sheridan has been a resounding success but the show itself has been far from it. To say it’s been polarising is an understatement, reports of theatre goers walking out at the interval have really worried some of the investors,’ a source told The Sun.
‘No official meeting has been held yet, but a number of them have spoken about how they would go about serving notice on the theatre and cutting the run of shows short.
Performances of Opening Night each night have involved Sheridan Smith falling out of the theatre and staggering back along the street, playing drunk
At one point in the show, Sheridan’s character Myrtle takes a tumble outside while the rest of the cast gather around her
A member of the door staff from a nearby venue says that the event conjures crowds every evening but that not everyone is aware the display is part of a performance
In footage captured by MailOnline, Sheridan can be seen scrabbling on the ground outside the central London theatre
Sheridan can be seen with her microphone on her head playing Myrtle Gordon in the street
One passer-by commented how shocked he was at the lack of response from other people
Sheridan said how she loves the unpredictability of improvising the scene each night
‘At the end of the day, even though it’s entertainment, it’s a business and they are worried that poor ticket sales will mean they don’t make their investment back.
‘Sheridan is a saving grace for Opening Night because of how good she is on stage, but even her star power can’t get the crowds in.’
The insider added while Sheridan’s stint in Shirley Valentine last year was a resounding success with tickets selling out, there were still lots available for Opening Night which is ‘turning into a disaster’ for bosses.
In an attempt to fill up the audience, Sheridan herself begged fans to attend the production as she admitted she feels ‘so much pressure’.
Speaking to Scott Mills on his Radio 2 show on Tuesday, she confessed about performing: ‘I get terrified, it’s worse as I get older.
‘I was fearless when I moved to London. Now, there’s so much pressure.’
Begging listeners to purchase their tickets, she added: ‘It’s absolutely fascinating and fun… please come!’
The musical begins with Myrtle (Sheridan) left traumatised by the death of a teenage fan.
Sheridan – who exclusively told MailOnline she took on the role to ‘take control’ of her own demons – can be seen outside the theatre as Myrtle, turning up late to the first night of the show after taking a drop too much.
The moment is filmed live every night outside, with the audience witnessing the action live via a video transmitted into the theatre
Sheridan is pictured mid-act smoking and interacting with people
Sheridan’s character Myrtle – the show’s main star – is on a dangerous downward spiral, fearing she’s lost her youth and her mind
Ms Smith with fellow cast members. There had been earlier warnings the play could end earlier than its scheduled last show in July
She told The Chris Evans Breakfast show on Virgin Radio: ‘Security wouldn’t let me go out too far the other night because someone was being arrested and restrained’
She said: ‘It feels like a moment of taking back control.
‘I feel like the part is a gift, it’s a gift of a part for any actress to play and I’m loving every minute of it, it’s such an honour. I can’t wait for people to see it now.’
Tickets have already been slashed for the show and are being sold on London Theatre with a 36 per cent discount meaning prices now start at a mere £25., with ShowFilmFirst also selling them for the same price.
Previously, front row tickets would have set theatregoers back £176 but can now be purchased for £110.
Among the underwhelmed theatregoers who have been heading for an early exit was Helen, 59, an admin worker for the NHS, who went with a friend.
She said: ‘I didn’t have a clue what was going on. It’s not Sheridan – she’s a great actress – but I was falling asleep.’
Another leaving early was Annie McCabe, 64, who went to the show with her husband. ‘It was too wacky for me,’ she said. ‘I loved Sheridan Smith but I didn’t know where it was going and it was all very disjointed and chaotic.’
Robbie, 22, who went with his friend Yan, 26, added: ‘The video screen and the acting on stage did not match up at all. It was like watching a bad movie.’
And Steph, 27, who watched it with a friend and left within the first hour, said: ‘It was boring. The music was terrible. It was a zero out of ten for me.’
But businesses near the theatre have praised the play for boosting their profits, with her ‘drunken’ tumbling in the street outside attracting onlookers.
Restaurant manager John Forte said: ‘This performance is really good for all of the businesses in Soho.
Robbie, 22, (pictured) who went with his friend Yan, 26, added: ‘The video screen and the acting on stage did not match up at all. It was like watching a bad movie’
Another leaving early was Annie McCabe, 64, (pictured) who went to the show with her husband. ‘It was too wacky for me,’ she said
Robbie, 22, who went with his friend Yan, 26, (pictured) added: ‘The video screen and the acting on stage did not match up at all. It was like watching a bad movie’
Steph, 27, (pictured) who watched it with a friend and left within the first hour, said: ‘It was boring. The music was terrible. It was a zero out of ten for me’
But local restaurant manager John Forte has welcomed the outdoor scenes as good for business, saying people are coming to ‘watch her fall over in the street’ then buy his food
Supermarket worker Tanmay Singh says he first thought Sheridan’s drunken acting was real
Ms Smith as Myrtle Gordon in Opening Night, which had seen ticket prices recently slashed
The actress, seen acting outside, has said she wanted to ensure her vocal delivery matched the standards set by US singer and composer Rufus Wainwright who wrote the music for the show
Sheridan previously told MailOnline how despite her illustrious background in music and theatre, she still felt the need to have singing lessons
‘People are coming out to watch her fall over in the street and then they come to my restaurant and buy food and drink. The theatre is very good for business.’
Supermarket worker Tanmay Singh, 24, said: ‘The first time I saw her fall over I thought it was real. I thought she was drunk.
‘I thought this is what it is like in the centre of London – people getting drunk and falling over in the street, but now I know it is part of her show.
‘I think it’s very clever because it was like it was reality – you cannot tell that she was acting. She really looked like she is drunk.’
