Sheridan Smith’s ill-fated play Opening Night has reportedly turned to seat filler agencies after slashing prices ahead of its early closure.
The actress’ West End comeback has been fraught with difficulties including poor reviews and bad turnouts.
As a result, the musical was cancelled and will end two months earlier than originally planned.
Opening Night tells the story of functioning alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon (Sheridan) who gets a second chance – it is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.
Though the show is already doomed, The Sun has reported that owners are still trying to save face, and have hired extras to fill out the audience.
Sheridan Smith’s, 42, ill-fated play Opening Night has reportedly turned to seat filler agencies after slashing prices ahead of its early closure
The actress’ West End comeback has been fraught with difficulties including poor reviews and bad turnouts (pictured in character as Myrtle Gordon at the Gielgud Theatre)
However, it is not all bad news for Olivier Award-winner Sheridan, 42, as she has landed the lead role of a new ITV drama.
Sheridan has said she is ‘honoured’ to receive the role in the gritty new drama, announced soon after the play she made her West End comeback was axed two months early.
The actress will portray Ann Ming, the mother who battled to change the law after her daughter Julie Hogg was murdered by her ex-partner in 1989.
The drama, scheduled to begin later this year, will be based on Ann’s book, For The Love Of Julie.
After fighting for 15 years, Ann succeeded in changing the 800-year-old double jeopardy law, which meant people couldn’t be tried twice for the same crime.
Speaking about the new role, Sheridan said: ‘I am so honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming, a mother so determined to fight for justice for her murdered daughter that she spent 15 years campaigning for the Double Jeopardy Law to be changed.’
She added: ‘She is a truly courageous and remarkable woman to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude’
Ann Ming, who will act as consultant throughout the production process, said she is ‘overwhelmed that Sheridan’ will be playing her.
Sheridan has said she is ‘honoured’ to play the leading role in a gritty new drama after it was announced the play she made her West End comeback in has been axed two months early
Opening Night’s cancellation comes after it was blasted by critics and audience members alike.
The show will now end its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London on May 18, instead of July 27 – and producers blamed a ‘challenging financial landscape’ for the decision.
Announcing the news in April, the 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’.
Announcing the early end of the run, 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 came 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 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.
Director Ivo has 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.
‘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.’
Producers Wessex Grove said: ‘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’
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.
In an attempt to fill up the audience, Sheridan herself begged fans to attend the production as she admitted she feels ‘so much pressure’.
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
Speaking to Scott Mills on his Radio 2 show last month, 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.
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.’
Speaking to Scott Mills on his Radio 2 show on Tuesday, Sheridan begged listeners to purchase their tickets, saying: ‘It’s absolutely fascinating and fun… please come!’
