What's happened
Rufus Wainwright's musical 'Opening Night,' which premiered at London's Gielgud Theatre in March 2024, is closing two months early on May 18, 2024, due to mixed reviews and slow ticket sales. Wainwright attributes the negative reception to Brexit, suggesting that it has narrowed the UK's creative outlook. The musical, directed by Ivo van Hove and starring Sheridan Smith, faced criticism for its avant-garde elements, leading to audience walkouts and a 'vitriolic reaction.'
Why it matters
The early closure of 'Opening Night' highlights the challenges faced by avant-garde productions in the current UK cultural climate. Wainwright's comments on Brexit's impact on creativity suggest a broader cultural shift that may affect future artistic endeavors. This event underscores the tension between traditional and experimental theatre, and its outcome could influence the types of productions that receive backing and audience support in the future.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Wainwright believes that Brexit has led to a 'darker corridor' in England's creative outlook, contributing to the negative reception of his musical. The Independent reports that Sheridan Smith, the star of the show, was 'heartbroken' by the early closure and felt she had let down the company. Politico highlights Wainwright's view that the British press turned on the project because it was 'too European.'
How we got here
Rufus Wainwright's 'Opening Night' is an adaptation of John Cassavetes' 1977 film about an actor struggling to cope with her mental health. The musical, directed by Ivo van Hove and starring Sheridan Smith, premiered at the Gielgud Theatre in March 2024. Despite high expectations, the production faced mixed reviews and audience walkouts, leading to its early closure. Wainwright attributes this to a post-Brexit cultural shift in the UK.
Common question
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Sheridan Smith OBE is an English actress, singer and presenter. Smith came to prominence after playing a variety of characters on sitcoms such as The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Gavin & Stacey, and Benidorm.
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Opening Night is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright and conceived and book by Ivo van Hove. It is based on the 1977 film of the same name by John Cassavetes, which van Hove has also previously adapted as a play in 2005.
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Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Following a UK-wide referendum in June 2016, in which 52% voted to leave and 48% voted to remain in the EU, the UK Government which was then led by Theresa May formally declared the c
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.