Heartbroken Sheridan Smith starts to cry as she breaks silence on West End show cancellation

Sheridan Smith, 42, has affirmed that she harbors “no regrets” regarding her recent stint in the West End, despite the early cancellation of the show.

The acclaimed actress’ performance in Opening Night is concluding prematurely, two months ahead of its original schedule, owing to lackluster ticket sales and mixed critical reception.

Initially slated to run until July 27, the musical, which delved into Sheridan’s character’s harrowing mental breakdown, debuted in March but will now end on May 18.

In a recent interview, conducted shortly after the announcement of the show’s premature closure, Sheridan expressed her sentiments: “I empathize with the team and appreciate the effort they invested, but at this stage of my career, I crave challenges. I yearn for novelty, not the mundane. I’d dive into it again without hesitation, so I harbor no regrets.”

Under the direction of avant-garde Belgian director Ivo van Hove, with music by Rufus Wainwright and based on a 1977 John Cassavetes film that initially faltered, this production at the Gielgud Theatre was never destined to be a light-hearted crowd-pleaser. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Sheridan’s performance garnered critical acclaim. Reflecting on the reception, Sheridan remarks, “While some have embraced it, it’s garnered a kind of cult following. The original film faced harsh criticism upon its release, so this might not mark the end of the journey.”