The new Sheridan Smith musical is now showing at the Gielgud theatre.
We’ve just been given a first look at Sheridan Smith’s brand-new musical Opening Night, and boy are we excited!
If you’re not familiar with the 1977 John Cassavetes movie Opening Night, it follows a theatre company as they prepare to take to the Broadway stage with a major new play.
However, drama behind the scenes ensues as the leading lady (played by Gena Rowlands in the film, and now Smith in the stage adaptation) is in turmoil over a recent tragedy.
The Opening Night musical is playing at the Gielgud Theatre in London for a limited time only this spring, directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Ivo van Hove (A Little Life) with music and lyrics by Canadian songwriter Rufus Wainwright.
JUST RELEASED: first look at the #OpeningNightMusical company in action. ✨
— Opening Night: A New Musical (@OpeningNightUK) March 22, 2024
📸: Jan Versweyveld pic.twitter.com/S5PNKjrDfs
Speaking about the Opening Night musical when it was first announced, Van Hove said: “It is a dream come true to collaborate with the wonderful Rufus Wainwright, whose work I have been a fan of for so many years. We connected over our shared love of the incredible John Cassavetes film Opening Night and it has long been an ambition of ours to bring a musical version to the stage.
“Opening Night not only gives us an insight into the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of the theatre, but it is also the heartbreaking story of a woman fighting for hope and self-determination in a world that doesn’t want to listen.”
Smith fans (ourselves wholeheartedly included) will know that this isn’t her first theatre role. The 42-year-old received an Olivier Award for her role in the Legally Blonde musical, and she’s just finished starring in Shirley Valentine at The Duke of York’s Theatre.
When asked about working with Van Hove and Wainwright, Smith said: “Quite frankly, if they’d asked me to read out the back of a cereal packet, I’d have been there.”
Now, if that isn’t publicity enough to see Opening Night, we don’t know what is!
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at Love Theatre
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at London Theatre Direct
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at TodayTix
When and where can I see Opening Night musical in London?
Opening Night will be performing at the Gielgud Theatre from now until Saturday 27th July 2024. The musical will have performances on every day at 7:30pm, except for Wednesdays and Saturdays, which will have performances at 2:30pm and 7:30pm.
For more exciting events happening in the Big Smoke, take a look at the best London theatre shows, London experience gifts, and best London art exhibitions.
How much do Opening Night London tickets starring Sheridan Smith cost?
The cheapest tickets we’ve seen so far for Opening Night come from Love Theatre, and they cost from £20 per person.
However, you can also get them from TodayTix for £23 and London Theatre Direct for £25 in case the cheaper seats sell out.
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at Love Theatre
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at London Theatre Direct
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at TodayTix
How to get Opening Night tickets starring Sheridan Smith
Tickets for Opening Night are on sale right now. As the musical is showing for a limited time run, and it stars household name Sheridan Smith, we’re sure tickets for this will go pretty quickly, so be sure to buy them as soon as you’re able to.
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at Love Theatre
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at London Theatre Direct
- Buy Opening Night tickets from £20 at TodayTix
For more theatre news and reviews, check out our review of For Black Boys, plus our chat with Imelda Staunton on Hello, Dolly! Also, here’s the best kids’ theatre shows.