Opening Night
Opening Night
★★★★ 'Captivating. Sheridan Smith shakes up musical theatre' The Guardian
BAFTA and two-time Olivier® award-winner Sheridan Smith delivers a performance like never before in this new musical about a theatre company barrelling towards their big opening night.
Based on John Cassavetes' legendary 1970s film, the action centres around world-famous actress Myrtle Gordon who, while struggling with her starring role, is plunged into turmoil when she witnesses a fan being fatally hit by a car. Deeply affected by the incident, the cast and crew rally around Myrtle as she battles her inner demons, confronts her past, and contemplates her future.
★★★★ 'Sheridan Smith is unstoppable - I was simply in awe of her. Extraordinary' Daily Mail
Opening Night features music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright, one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, alongside book and direction by Tony® and Olivier ® award-winner Ivo Van Hove.
‘Rufus Wainwright’s music reaches new heights’ Independent
The cast also includes Hadley Fraser (The Lehman Trilogy), Shira Haas (Unorthodox), Nicola Hughes (Chicago), Amy Lennox (Cabaret), John Marquez (Pygmalion), and Benjamin Walker (American Psycho)
★★★★ 'Sheridan Smith is superb. There is truly nothing else like it' Time Out
Now playing at the Gielgud Theatre for a strictly limited season.
- Good To Know
Everyone, regardless of age, must have their own ticket to enter the theatre. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to a ticketholder who is at least 18years old.
Latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. You may not bring food or drink purchased elsewhere.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after booking
- Suitable For Children
Recommended for ages 14+
- Where Do I Go
GIELGUD THEATRE
Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR
Reviews
Jude
May 2, 2024
Couldn’t make head nor tail of the storyline. At half time we considered going home but thought again reasoning that it had to get better. It didn’t! At one point the music was so loud I thought it would burst my eardrums. The cast all had great voices and Sheridan played the part well we just couldn’t understand the narrative so that’s down to the writers. As we left the general comment from audience was “crap”
William Hill
Apr 18, 2024
Impressive performances in the wake of very poor reviews. However this cannot make up for the fundamental lack of a strong narrative and story development and the underwhelming music in the main
Jill W
Apr 11, 2024
Sheridan Smith is amazing. The cast were great. The musicians were excellent. What a shame they had to perform this terrible turkey of a play/musical. It was such a waste of the talent on stage.
Robert L
Apr 10, 2024
If it ad been on the tv would have just turned over. Understood what was going on but couldn't care. Sheridan and the cast must be hating preforming it.No decent songs either to help it out
Helen Vangrove
Mar 31, 2024
Opening Night is original and interesting, however, many of the songs were unmemorable with no real appeal. Sheridan Smith is glorious, moving, outstanding and her voice soars and moves you and is just fabulous.
Suzie
Mar 31, 2024
A great performance .The energy of all the cast was tremendous. Sheridan Smith was the reason i booked and i certainly wasn't disappointed !
Carol
Mar 29, 2024
I loved it. The staging was unusual, with screens around the theatre to give the best views to all action levels on and off stage. That took a while to get used to. Still, I fully understand how difficult it is to stage modern productions with all the new technology available in an old-style theatre built for theatre audiences at that time, with the high circles and smaller areas than some of the theatres and arenas used today, occasionally for plays. Having said that, I would recommend it to anyone considering going.
Julia Jenkins
Mar 29, 2024
We did not enjoy the performance. The music was too loud and drowned out the singing. We found the performance repetitive (I realise they were supposed to be practicing for an opening night) but it became boring. We left at the interval.
Helga
Mar 21, 2024
Great story and incredible acting, particularly from Sheridan Smith. Powerful and meaningful.
Kerry Kent
Mar 14, 2024
Loved it, Amazing. Would defo book again. loved the under lying note to women of a certain age being one of those i totally got it
L Russell
Mar 13, 2024
I was so excited for a new Sheridan Smith musical but this was beyond awful. The sound track was boring and bleak, the sexual behaviour by the dead girl simply bizarre and I’m still not sure what it was all about to be honest. We stuck it out just to see if it improved in the 2nd half but unfortunately not. What a waste of money and an evening away from my kids!
Tinpanannie
Mar 12, 2024
Excellent acting, brilliant singing although it was so loud we couldn’t hear the words sung. The story was good. Reminded me of Judy Garland. The whole thing was too stressful. In the end we didn’t get it ☹️
Paul Brown
Mar 12, 2024
EXCELLENT ACTING BUT POOR PLOT
Phil H
Mar 12, 2024
Sheridan Smith gives her all as usual but it is a poor musical with unmemorable numbers. Left at the interval as we did not want to waste another hour of our lives.
Hilary Wrightman
Mar 8, 2024
We booked with every expectation of a wonderful show as we love Sheridan Smith and everything she does. This however was something different! Neither of us engaged with the story line, it was disjointed and we couldn’t follow it. The voices were amazing, and it was a great shame and most disappointing. We left with a lot of others at the interval, never to return. Others may have thought it was wonderful, but we certainly didn’t
Geoff Watson
Mar 7, 2024
We only saw the first half, it wasn’t what we expected, A little slow in parts although I thought the music and acting to be as I expected. I hope it goes on to be a success
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