Director blames Britain's 'narrow outlook' after Brexit for play flop (2024)

A musical director has blamed British audience's 'narrow outlook' after Brexitfor his flop of a show, as audience members walked out half way through performances.

Rufus Wainwright argued that the reason 'Opening Night' starring Sheridan Smithreceived such poor reviews was because it was 'too European' and British people lacked 'curiosity' since Brexit.

Opening Night tells the story of functioning alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon, played by Sheridan, who gets a second chance - it is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.

'I do feel that since Brexit, England has entered into a darker corridor where it is a little more narrow in its outlook and the vitriol because we put 'English rose Sheridan Smith through this ordeal of European theatre' felt a little bit suspect to me,' he told the Guardian.

The West End show included other 'experimental elements' which Wainwright now believes were too much for conservative audiences, such as a moment where Sheridan leave the venue to stagger along the streets of London while acting drunk.

The moment is filmed live every night outside the theatre, for all passersby to see and the audience witnesses the action live via a video transmitted onto the stage.

He continued: 'There's a lack of imagination and curiosity about change. All of the reviews from Europewere incredible for this piece; the staging and the rhythm is more European and there was a vitriolic reaction against that.

'I don't think it was perfect and that I don't deserve criticism, but this thing of shutting it down if it's not exactly what you want is not really the theatrical lane that I want to live in.'

The West End play was due to finish on July 27, however following poor reviews and theatre goers walking out, the final performance will now be on May 18.

Based on John Cassavetes's 1977 arthouse film Opening Night, the new musical – written by Rufus Wainwright and directed by Ivo van Hove – follows the life of alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon, played by Ms Smith.

Myrtle's behaviour spirals out of control after the death of her young fan Nancy, played by Unorthodox actress Shira Haas, and Myrtle battles her inner demons while rehearsing for the debut of her new Broadway show.

The performance of Ms Smith, who has been vocal about her own battles with depression, anxiety and addiction, has resulted in rave reviews for the actress.

However others were quick the critise the production, The Evening Standard called it a 'dismally muddled, self-important, furtively misogynist musical', the Telegraph said 'Sheridan Smith enthralls, but this play is a pretentious, convoluted mess' and the Express argued it was an 'abominable, misjudged musical adaptation'.

Wainwright admitted to being 'a little beaten up by' the experience but was glad the production was ambitious and stood out from what he thinks is a conservative landscape on the West End.

'I think the West End has got pretty staid. The main objective I have is that people think about it for days and days and look: people have thought about Opening Night now for weeks.

'It has remained in the psyche of the press and the public … it does endure for better or for worse.'