Opening Night - West End Tickets, News, Info & More
The incomparable Sheridan Smith returns to musical theatre in the world premiere of Opening Night from the creative minds of Rufus Wainwright, one of the most acclaimed songwriters of his generation, and celebrated director Ivo van Hove.
Based on John Cassavetes' legendary film, Opening Night follows a theatre company's preparations to stage a major new play on Broadway. But drama ignites behind the scenes when their leading lady is rocked by tragedy, and her personal turmoil forces everybody to deliver the performance of their lives.
This beautifully rich new musical premieres at London's Gielgud Theatre for a strictly limited run from 6 March 2024.
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Audio Described & Captioned: TBC
Signed: Saturday 20 April 2024 2.30pm
Opening Night - West End Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Opening Night
‘Opening Night’ Review: Sheridan Smith’s Turn Cannot Save Ivo Van Hove and Rufus Wainwright’s Monotonous Musical Adaptation
2 / 10
At the start of the second half of Ivo Van Hove’s production of his own musical version of John Cassavetes‘ ultra-Seventies backstager “Opening Night” — with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright — the words “the aftermath” (in fashionable lower case) appear on the large screen that dominates the stage. The trouble is, the preceding storytelling has been so muddy, and the emotional temperature of the staging so leadenly unchanging, that audiences may well be asking, “The aftermath of what?”
Opening Night
8 / 10
There are no dance numbers, power ballads, lavish sets, or cute romantic storylines. By entering the West End, ‘Opening Night’ is almost inevitably inviting an audience that will be confused by it. And yet: there’s a palpable warmth to it. Maybe it’s a musical, maybe it isn’t, but under all the avant-garde bells and whistles, it unquestionably has a heart – a buoyancy and belief in humanity that’s lacking in the original film.
Category
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OPENING NIGHT Starring Sheridan Smith Will End its West End Run Early
by Stephi Wild - April 11, 2024
by Stephi Wild - April 11, 2024
The new musical John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT will now end its run at the Gielgud Theatre on Saturday 18 May 2024.
Review Roundup: Ivo Van Hove, Rufus Wainwright Musical OPENING NIGHT Opens In London
by A.A. Cristi - March 26, 2024
by A.A. Cristi - March 26, 2024
Read reviews for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT a new musical with book by Ivo Van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright, starring Sheridan Smith.
Review: OPENING NIGHT, Gielgud Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - March 26, 2024
by Aliya Al-Hassan - March 26, 2024
Now a stage musical, John Cassavetes’ 1977 film Opening Night was a commercial flop when it was released, later becoming something of a cult classic of American independent cinema. Director Ivo Van Hove specialises in bringing work to the stage that may be called “challenging”. Challenging can be hugely successful, but I’ve rarely seen a production more determined to confuse and frustrate an audience.
Photos: First Look At Sheridan Smith And More In John Cassavetes' OPENING NIGHT
by A.A. Cristi - March 22, 2024
by A.A. Cristi - March 22, 2024
See photos of the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT a new musical with book by Ivo Van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright, starring Sheridan Smith.
Photos: First Look at OPENING NIGHT Starring Sheridan Smith
by Stephi Wild - March 12, 2024
by Stephi Wild - March 12, 2024
All new photos have been released from the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo Van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright, starring Sheridan Smith. Check out the photos here!
Listen: Sheridan Smith Performs 'Magic' From New Musical OPENING NIGHT
by Stephi Wild - February 29, 2024
by Stephi Wild - February 29, 2024
Performances begin next week for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ Opening Night, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright, starring Sheridan Smith. Smith recently appeared on the Front Row podcast from BBC, where she performed the song 'Magic' from the musical. Listen here!
No Booking Fee: OPENING NIGHT, Starring Sheridan Smith
by Aliya Al-Hassan - January 25, 2024
by Aliya Al-Hassan - January 25, 2024
No fees to pay for Opening Night tickets.
Benjamin Walker, Rebecca Thornhill, and More Join the Cast of the World Premiere of OPENING NIGHT
by Stephi Wild - January 18, 2024
by Stephi Wild - January 18, 2024
Full casting has been announced for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes' OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright.
Shira Haas, Hadley Fraser, Amy Lennox and More Join OPENING NIGHT at the Gielgud Theatre
by Stephi Wild - December 14, 2023
by Stephi Wild - December 14, 2023
Further casting has been announced for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes' OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. Find out who is starring in the show here!
Tickets From £24 for OPENING NIGHT, Starring Sheridan Smith
by Aliya Al-Hassan - November 14, 2023
by Aliya Al-Hassan - November 14, 2023
The incomparable Sheridan Smith returns to musical theatre in the world premiere of Opening Night from the creative minds of Rufus Wainwright, one of the most acclaimed songwriters of his generation, and celebrated director Ivo van Hove.
Opening Night FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What productions of Opening Night have there been?
Opening Night has had 1 productions including West End which opened in 2024.
What theatre is Opening Night playing at on the West End?
Opening Night is playing at the Gielgud Theatre, which is located at (Piccadilly Circus) Shaftesbury Avenue London.
How long has Opening Night been running on the West End?
Opening Night opened at the Gielgud Theatre on Wednesday Mar 06, 2024 and has now been running for 1 month.
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