Sheridan Smith ‘stumbles around’ outside theatre for new show and asks public to join in

Sheridan Smith has urged the public to get involved in her new musical in which her character drunkenly stumbles about outside the theatre in London’s West End.

The actress stars in Opening Night about an ageing thespian who has a nervous breakdown following the accidental death of one her fans.

The show at the Gielgud Theatre includes an immersive segment in which Smith’s character, Myrtle, collapses in a drunken state outside the stage doors with the scenes projected onto screens inside.

During the musical’s premiere earlier this month, onlookers were said to have rushed to help Smith, who temporarily withdrew from a previous West End show because of personal problems.

Speaking to the BBC, Smith, 42, said word about the scene had now spread to the point people “have been crowding around” the theatre to watch her.

“I would love people to get involved – because it adds to it all, makes it all so live and real, that is never done in the theatre.”

Opening Night is based on the 1977 film of the same name starring John Cassavetes. In the new show Myrtle slowly unravels on stage after she becomes haunted by her dead fan.

Smith, who is known for roles in TV dramas Cilla and Mrs Biggs, for which she won a Bafta, said the plot has parallels with her own troubles which saw her pull out of Funny Girl in 2016.

She said: “I have been in my own mental crisis before, which was quite well publicised, so there are definitely parts of myself that I can bring to the character.

“I had a wobble, covered myself in tattoos. I lost a lot of confidence around that time, but it has come back thankfully, due to friends and supportive people.”

Smith said the public had always supported her during her difficulties.

She said: “I am very grateful because the public always stood by me, even though whatever went on in the press.

“They understood that when you are grieving, you can’t really explain what you go through and people were stopping me and cuddling me on the street.”

Her performance outside the theatre doors has reportedly helped to boost business for local traders.

Speaking to MailOnline earlier this month, Soho restaurant manager John Forte said: “This performance is really good for all of the businesses in Soho.

“People are coming out to watch her fall over in the street and then they come to my restaurant and buy food and drink. The theatre is very good for business.”

Opening Night is at the Gielgud Theatre until July 27.