Sheridan’s Smith problem-plagued West End show, Opening Night, has been cancelled after it was blasted by critics and audience members.
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 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.
However, it seems it wasn’t enough to garner audiences for the poorly reviewed play, which producers have now admitted was ‘always a risk’.
Announcing the early end of the run on Thursday, 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.
Sheridan’s Smith problem-plagued West End show, Opening Night, has been cancelled after it was blasted by critics and audience member (pictured during the performance)
‘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 after Sheridan revealed her under-fire play was hit by another problem this week.
The actress, 42, revealed that she almost walked into a crime scene mid performance before security ‘banned’ her from leaving the theatre.
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.
Myrtle is a functioning alcoholic actress and is filmed slumped outside the stage door, however her regular routine was interrupted by a police incident nearby.
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
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 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.’
Her radio appearance came after she defended her new West End musical Open Night after it was revealed earlier this week that ticket prices have been slashed for the show.
She 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 pictured heading to her Virgin radio appearance with host Chris Evans
Tickets for the show have already been slashed and are now being sold on London Theatre with a 36% discount with prices starting from £25
‘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.
‘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 are 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!’
Begging listeners to purchase their tickets, she added: ‘It’s absolutely fascinating and fun… please come!’ (pictured at the press night performance)
The musical begins with Myrtle (Sheridan) left traumatised by the death of a teenage fan.
The death is filmed live every night outside the London theatre, for all passersby to see and the audience witnesses the action live via a video transmitted into the theatre.
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.’
Tickets have already been slashed for the show and are being sold on London Theatre with a 36% discount meaning prices now start at a mere £25. ShowFilmFirst are 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 those heading for an early exit last week 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.’
Following a successful premiere, Sheridan was joined by her friends who had turned out to the Gielgud Theatre to see her.
