Opening Night was Wainwright's first musical and is an adaptation of John Cassavetes' 1977 film about an actor struggling to cope, who is played by Sheridan Smith. Directed by Ivo van Hove, it opened in March at the Gielgud theatre but a month later announced it would be closing two months early.
Some audience members have reportedly walked out during the performance or left during the interval.
The musical includes a scene where Smith staggers out into the streets of the West End while being filmed, and the film is projected back on to the stage.
Wainwright said the experimental elements were too much for conservative audiences, and seeing Smith-a mainstream star - in something more avant garde was anathema to certain critics and audience members.
This story is from the May 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the May 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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