Sheridan Smith’s doomed play Opening Night’s replacement revealed as Strictly star takes on lead role
SHERIDAN Smith’s doomed play Opening Night’s replacement has been revealed.
The new stage play, which premiered on March 6, was due to wrap up on July 27 – but will now close on May 18.
Earlier this month The Sun exclusively revealed that the show was in danger of being pulled early after sending audiences to sleep.
Opening Night, which is on at the Gielgud Theatre, will now end two months earlier than planned.
Now it’s been revealed that 2:22 A Ghost Story will now run instead.
Strictly favourite Stacey Dooley will make her West End debut and take on the role of Jenny in the show.
Stacey said: “I’m so delighted to be involved in the next adaptation of 2:22.
“I’m made up. I fell for the play when I went to watch it in 2022.
“All 4 characters feel so familiar, which means the subtle ‘ghost story’ just works so brilliantly. Can’t wait to bring Jenny back to life.
The journalist will star in the production alongside Inbetweeners star James Buckley.
2:22 A Ghost Story premiered in 2020 at the Noel Coward Theatre.
The likes of Lily Allen, Giovanna Fletcher, Laura Whitmore and Cheryl have taken part in the show.
It comes after fans fell ASLEEP at Sheridan’s show as others blasted ‘I don’t get it’ before TWENTY people walked out.
The MailOnline reported that one person was seen nodding off before being woken by Sheridan’s loud singing.
One person told the publication: “It was terrible. This is the first time I’ve walked out from a West End play. It was just very confusing- none of us got what they were trying to do.
“I thought Sheridan was fantastic but I couldn’t work out whether she was the main character in the play or one of the supporting cast.”
Producers Wessex Grove confirmed that the show’s future in a statement.
It said: “It is an honour to produce this beautiful new musical in the West End, and everyone at Wessex Grove is proud to have delivered the artistic vision of Ivo Van Hove and Rufus Wainwright and their incredible team, led by the exquisite Sheridan Smith.
“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.
“What is sure-fire and safe has its place. But Wessex Grove exists to produce great artists in the West End and to provide the space for original, artist-led productions in the commercial sector, productions exactly like Opening Night.
“We’re grateful for all of the support everyone has given us as we made this show, and look forward to celebrating the rest of the run.”