Opening Night starring Sheridan Smith to close two months early

Sheridan Smith at the press night for Opening Night in London. The musical about an actor with mental health problems was due to run until 27 July. Photograph: Dave Benett/Getty

The West End musical Opening Night starring Sheridan Smith that divided audiences and critics is to close two months early.

The show about an actor with mental health problems received mixed reviews and was due to run until 27 July.

However, the producers Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions announced on Thursday the musical will end prematurely at the Gielgud theatre on 18 May due to a “challenging financial landscape”.

The director Ivo Van Hove said the show was “totally unique” and would “forever have a special place in my heart”.

Based on the 1977 film by John Cassavetes, the play follows a theatre company preparing to stage a new show on Broadway. the double Olivier-winning star Smith plays the leading lady, Myrtle Gordon, who, after witnessing a death, spins out of control.

The music and lyrics are by the singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, and part of the performance takes place outside the Gielgud theatre, with Smith’s character collapsing outside the stage door in a drunken state while the scene is projected on to screens inside the auditorium.

Smith, 42, described the role as possibly her most challenging yet.

But critics were divided. The Guardian’s Arifa Akbar described it as “an extravagantly original production, every bit as eccentric as the film but also its own alchemical creation, more vivacious in this musical incarnation”. The New York Times, meanwhile, called it a “sludgy travesty” of the stylish movie. There were reports of some audience members leaving early.

Wessex Grove said it was an “honour to produce this beautiful new musical”, adding: “In a challenging financial landscape, Opening Night was always a risk and while the production may not have had the life we had hoped for, we feel immensely proud of the risk we took and of this extraordinary production.

“Our world class cast delivers a brilliant show night after night, and there are still five weeks left to see Sheridan Smith in the role of a lifetime.”

Van Hove praised “the exceptional Sheridan Smith, who had the bravery to play such a complex role”. He added: “It will forever have a special place in my heart. It is always sad when a show closes early but I know that Opening Night will live long in the memories of those who saw it and made it.”

Those who have tickets from 20 May to 27 July 2024 will be contacted directly by their point of sale.