Opening Night
Closing: July 27, 2024Opening Night - 2024 West End History , Info & More
Gielgud Theatre
(Piccadilly Circus) Shaftesbury Avenue London
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 - 2024 - West End Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Opening Night
‘Opening Night’ Review: A Stylish Movie Becomes a Sludgy Travesty
1 / 10
In a London auditorium, a work of art is being desecrated. “Opening Night,” John Cassavetes’s understatedly stylish 1977 movie about an actress struggling with midlife ennui, has been reimagined as a musical by the Belgian director Ivo van Hove, and the result is a travesty.
Opening Night review: Sheridan Smith defies director's bid to ruin her big night with a cheekiness and vulnerability as dangerous as it is riveting
7 / 10
Thank God also for Rufus Wainwright's music. True, it sometimes dwindles into semi-tonal burbling. But it also explodes with the singer-songwriter's gift for doomed glory. A spectacular duet with Nicola Hughes as an exasperated writer character even brought to mind the brassy swagger of All That Jazz, the 1979 film starring Roy Scheider. More than anything though, it's thanks to the emotional wattage of Smith's voice that the show really soars. To quote the lyrics of one of her early numbers, she makes 'magic out of tragic'.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
by Aliya Al-Hassan - January 25, 2024
No fees to pay for Opening Night tickets.
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.
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!
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.
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