Smith plays actress Myrtle Gordon, a functioning alcoholic days away from opening a new play about a woman afraid of ageing. When a mega-fan of hers is killed in a car accident while chasing Myrtle's attention, the actress goes on a quest for answers, and risks derailing the opening of her new show.
A West End appearance from Smith is always cause for excitement. The actress, who is also known for her roles in sitcoms including The Royal Family and Gavin & Stacey, has previously delivered star turns on stage in Legally Blonde, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Funny Girl.
While best known as a singer-songwriter, Wainwright is also no stranger to the stage: he's written music for dance pieces and operas in the past, as well as providing the score for avant-garde director Robert Wilson's 2009 Shakespeares Sonette, a joint piece with the Berliner Ensemble.
Opening Night unites Wainwright with another experimental figure of the theatre world. Van Hove was most recently in the West End with his Marmite-like production of Hanya Yanagihara's trauma-heavy A Little Life, starring James Norton.
It's unlikely Opening Night will prove anywhere near as controversial – but you can find out for yourself, as tickets are now on sale.
| What | Sheridan Smith in Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre |
| Where | Gielgud Theatre, 35 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
| When |
06 Mar 24 – 27 Jul 24, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Price | £24+ |
| Website | Click here for more information and to book |
