What's happened
Rufus Wainwright's musical 'Opening Night,' which premiered in March 2024 at London's Gielgud Theatre, is closing two months early on May 18, 2024, due to mixed reviews and slow ticket sales. Wainwright attributes the negative response 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 poor reviews.
Why it matters
The early closure of 'Opening Night' highlights the challenges faced by avant-garde productions in the West End, particularly in a post-Brexit cultural landscape. Rufus Wainwright's comments on Brexit's impact on creativity underscore broader concerns about the UK's cultural openness and willingness to embrace experimental art forms. This event may influence future productions and the types of shows that are deemed viable for the West End, potentially leading to a more conservative approach in theatre programming.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Wainwright believes that Brexit has led to a 'darker corridor' in England's creative outlook, making audiences less receptive to experimental theatre. The Independent reports that Wainwright felt the British press turned on the project because it was 'too European.' In contrast, Politico highlights Wainwright's view that the staging and rhythm of 'Opening Night' were 'more European,' which may have contributed to its mixed reception.
How we got here
Rufus Wainwright's 'Opening Night' is an adaptation of John Cassavetes' 1977 film about an actor struggling with mental health issues. The musical, directed by Ivo van Hove and starring Sheridan Smith, premiered in March 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre in London. Despite high expectations and a notable cast, the production faced criticism for its avant-garde elements, leading to audience walkouts and poor reviews. Wainwright has attributed the negative response to a post-Brexit cultural shift in the UK, which he believes has narrowed the country's creative outlook.
Common question
More on these topics
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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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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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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.