Theatergoers share their views on Sheridan Smith's Opening Night in the controversial West End performance. The play, in which Smith portrays a star with mental health issues unraveling on stage, has received mixed reviews from critics.
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.
While some audience members told MailOnline the show was 'a bit disjointed' but they were planning on 'sticking with it', others were already starting to nod off before the half-time break. '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.
MailOnline found empty seats at the theatre on Thursday evening's performance, with a notable absence even in the front row. When the audience returned after the intermission it was clear that some had left, with even bigger gaps of empty seats appearing. 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 hugsJoe Cowan and Jane Croucher waited for Sheridan after the show and said they loved the show because it was 'mad and different'Brian and Pat Parker from south-east London poured out their enthusiasm for the production.Brian added: 'We loved it. We really did- couldn’t fault it.
Even before the show began, her fans were looking forward to it and insisted Sheridan would 'bounce back' from the critical disaster. 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
READ MORE: Inside Sheridan Smith's inner circle: The famous friends she will be relying on as her West End play Opening Night closes two months early 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. 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'.
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 'And Van Hove doesn't help with his rough-and-ready mise en scène, which sets the action in a rudimentary back-stage environment, lined with dressing room mirrors at the rear, into which Myrtle sadly stares.'Sarah Hemming: 'It's a show that suggests the overwhelming, quite terrifying nature of breakdown and the need for connection — and yet, strangely, it fails to connect, emotionally.
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. '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.
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. Sheridan also revealed that the location of the theatre can cause issues, as drunk revellers sometimes come and try and help her up.
'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. '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.'Sheridan stars as Myrtle in the new musical - which is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.
'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. In footage captured by MailOnline, Sheridan can be seen scrabbling on the ground outside the central London theatreOne passer-by commented how shocked he was at the lack of response from other peopleREAD MORE: Sheridan Smith begs fans to 'please come' to under-fire West End musical amid slashed ticket sales as she admits 'there's so much pressure' Advertisement 'At the end of the day, even though it's entertainment, it's a business and they are worried that poor...
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.Begging listeners to purchase their tickets, she added: 'It's absolutely fascinating and fun… please come!'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 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' Previously, front row tickets would have set theatregoers back £176 but can now be purchased for £110. 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.'
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' 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 foodMs Smith as Myrtle Gordon in Opening Night, which had seen ticket prices recently slashed
Tvshowbiz Sheridan Smith Crime London NHS
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bewildered audience members whisper 'I don't get it' to each other during interval of Sheridan...Theatergoers share their views on Sheridan Smith's Opening Night in the controversial West End performance. The play, in which Smith portrays a star with mental health issues unraveling on stage, has received mixed reviews from critics.
Read more »
Sheridan Smith hit by fresh blow as bored audiences walk out of big theatre comebackSheridan Smith speaks about booze sessions for the musical Opening Night
Read more »
Opening Night review: Sheridan Smith is better than this self-indulgent twaddleRufus Wainwright and Ivo Van Hove's misguided musical is bewilderingly terrible on almost every front
Read more »
Sheridan Smith’s Opening Night musical suffers fresh blow as audience members walk outTrailer for Opening Night play starring Sheridan Smith
Read more »
Sheridan Smith's performance criticized as audience members leave during showAudience members leave during Sheridan Smith's performance at the Gielgud Theatre as she fights with a ghost while dubstep music is played. Tickets for the show are being sold for as low as £25.
Read more »
Sheridan Smith's West End play Opening Night could be cut short as ticket sales plummetTicket sales for Sheridan Smith's play Opening Night have drastically decreased, leading to the possibility of ending the run early. Fans have been disappointed by the production and have complained about the confusing plot. The actress has urged fans to attend the show, but fears from investors have raised concerns about the ability to attract audiences. The play is based on a 1977 drama film and stars Sheridan Smith as Myrtle Gordon, a functioning alcoholic actress.
Read more »