★ REVIEW: Opening Night (West End) | honest thoughts on the new musical starring Sheridan Smith

[@RachelMay1989]

I was so shocked that our Fair and Balanced King gave a show one star, I absolutely HAD to watch this IMMEDIATELY.

[@valeriebaker9512]

It may be unusual, but I like the honesty.

[@RachelMay1989]

​@@valeriebaker9512 Absolutely!

[@mandywagner2460]

And ALW's Cinderella has just breathed a sigh of relief as we move away from it 😅

[@IWillBeHers]

A one-star review from Mickey-Jo? Consider me very intrigued.

[@judiththomalla6077]

I gave it -1

[@hannahcostanzo7488]

Off topic but I like the longer hair look!

[@columfindlay2996]

I agree, he looks so handsome with it longer! X

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Aw you guys! I definitely need a haircut but I might stay in this style realm, thank you 😅

[@Showtunediva]

@@MickeyJoTheatreI love your hair too Mickey Jo.

[@the_erin_zone]

IT LOOKS SICK

[@the_erin_zone]

also the visual effects are fun

[@michaeltonus3888]

"Big picture issues, everyone was a lunatic." - Me describing any random day in my life.

[@annietvetenstrand5256]

babe wake up a one star Mickey jo theatre review just dropped

[@TheWiseGrif]

Ooooooooo, seeing one star for the review makes me so curious because i feel like you rarely go that low...time to watch the video

[@SM-BSW]

When Mickey Jo struggles to find something good to say about your show, it's time to reevaluate your life choices.

[@gabbygrace100]

I had to read the programme to find out that the Directors wife (Amy Lennox) actually had a name! -_-

[@danaslitlist1]

I can appreciate how creative a camera on stage can be but also it feels like the creatives are forgetting that people going to see a play or musical don’t necessary want to watch something via a screen.

[@emhu2594]

i thought sunset boulevard was really creative the way they did it.

[@danaslitlist1]

@@emhu2594same! Even with Dorian Gray I think it can work well when utilized, but I worry that more and more shows will start using it due to popularity instead of creativity

[@EllieC130]

My exact reaction to this thumbnail was "ooh a show I was thinking about going to see that a reviewer is calling terrible? Colour me intrigued."

[@judiththomalla6077]

Honestly it is the weakest show I have ever seen. Hes generous scoring it at 1 I gave it -1.

[@SimplySophieLou]

I know giving such low star reviews can feel really disheartening, but as a viewer I really appreciate the honesty and the authenticity you bring to every review whether its positive or negative. It really goes to show that you are a trustworthy source of knowledge and critique in my opinion - not just one of those people who gives glowing review after glowing review to ensure they can keep being invited to things for free. We really appreciate you Mickey! 😊

[@NvmeroTredici]

He didn’t even bother mentioning the original source material for this musical. Far from being a trustworthy source of knowledge.

[@chrischandler5735]

He did mention it at the start of the review.

[@kbye2321]

@@NvmeroTredici He did...? He mentioned and even gave a synopsis of the original film on which the musical is based on. And he also mentioned the initial non-musical version that came before this version...

[@MartynThomas]

One star is generous - saw it during previews, i'm not exaggerating that during the interval the entire first two rows of the upper circle were all discussing if they should return for the second act. The staging was terrible - if felt like we had paid to watch a rubbish student film being recorded. The actors were playing to the cameras, not the audience - including many scenes (inc. the writer's big ballad) which were performed to the side of the stage, out of sight of the audience so they can belt into the camera with the right background. Sheridan survives the show, but couldn't rescue it - it was poorly conceived from the very start.

[@EKA201-j7f]

Thank you, good point about playing to the camera.

[@carriehopefletcher1hopeful]

Hi I met you today at Wild about you and you were so lovely so thank you for making it such a special experience (I also met the cast which was incredible)

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Ah, absolutely lovely to meet you! Hope you had a terrific night! 😁

[@carriehopefletcher1hopeful]

@@MickeyJoTheatre thank you sooo much!

[@lisafalkner170]

If you ate cheese on a cracker, at least you didn't leave in the interval 🤷‍♂️ Or was that due to the threat of crumb distribution ? 😂

[@emhu2594]

I have mixed feelings about wild about you, the characterization was so off putting in the first part, but Rachel tucker and Jamie Muscato were incredible even with unremarkable material.

[@kitsworld]

To answer your question, the video effect you were referring to is called "Optical Feedback" (or "Video Feedback"). It is the visual equivalent of the feedback you get when holding a microphone in front of the speaker. Optical feedback was used extensively in music videos of the 1970s and 80s - Bohemian Rhapsody being a prime example. It was also a common visual effect in low-budget sci-fi TV shows like Doctor Who and Star Trek. 🙂

[@eleanormagson9915]

Glad to hear they have changed it so Shira Haas *walks* off after the car crash, because when we saw it in previews she crawled off, presumably she was meant to dramatically disappear - but everyone could see her, which was hilarious. As for the rest of it - a confusing, self-indulgent, pseudo-intellectual mess. I just felt bad for the actors saddled with it.

[@danaslitlist1]

The way I just laughed out loud at the mental image of this. Oh that’s so embarrassing

[@griffsco]

haha I saw this last night and from my seat I could see her crawling on all fours down the corridor

[@ColinGP]

i've never clicked so quickly!! amazing review as always - but what is with the lens flare on the sides of the video? its suuuuuper distracting

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Sorryyyyy I was going for an aesthetic because I worry the dark videos look boring 😅

[@lisa-lisa-lisa]

@@MickeyJoTheatre I thought it was some sort extra emphasis for the 1 star play

[@meganmcleod7418]

It’s producing the effect that I have when I get a migraine 😂 Worth it though to watch this review…

[@EvaDoubravska-c8v]

This was the first musical that I watched thinking: why are these people singing...and also :why is everyone having a meltdown...and what's happening...Everyone was so unlikable...it's such a shame because the cast was amazing and I even really enjoyed the staging...and somewhat the last scene which demonstrated how good this should have been

[@Hpierrenyc]

Mickey: Do you know the John Cassavette’s film, Opening Night, with Jenna Rowland? It’s one of my favorite films and when I heard Van Hove was directing this stage production, I knew it wouldn’t work. I highly recommend you watching the film because it goes into the psychological complexity of the main character and the “opening night” is hysterical! I think your giving a review about the movie and comparing it to the current production would be interesting.

[@Tania008]

Saw it in previews, totally confused with the whole production. Cast were great especially with the material they were given. Saw people walk out! Even Benjamin Walker made an ad lib line to the audience which was the only good bit of the show. One Star is all it deserved and that was only because the actors were good. Well done in your review totally accurate in ALL areas.

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Exactly how I feel, thank you.

[@dylansmith1833]

I don’t think I’ve ever clicked so fast to see your thoughts on this! After that first impressions video, I knew you would show no mercy!

[@maxdavies239]

Would love a follow up where you go through some of the press reviews because I've seen everything from 1 to 5 stars, would be cool to hear your thoughts!!

[@MySUPERkate]

Would love to know your reactions to the higher reviews for this show

[@minirth.maggie]

Oh yes, I ❤ when Mickey Jo goes through reviews!

[@dankane9056]

It sounds like this show has large storyline and tone parallels to All About Eve, recently directed by van Hove in London. Troubled Broadway actress surrounded by unsupportive men, an obsessed young fan, scenes in the dressing room mirror, projections above. Surprising to me that Mickey never mentions this.

[@lizbattle2677]

I immediately thought the same thing!

[@carinen.6723]

Opening Night (1977) was influenced by All About Eve. Originally Cassavetes tried to get Bette Davis to play the writer role as an explicit reference and cast Joan Blondell when she wouldn't.

[@RachelClark-tx7eg]

The image/mirror repetition is called mise-em-abyme!! Same as the end of the title number for Sunset Boulevard

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Thank you! I just knew someone would know what the actual term was, points for you!

[@jonasfiers]

I always use "Droste effect." But then again, my language is Dutch.

[@HaussOfSharon]

Never clicked so fast...

[@EoghanAmI]

My boyfriend and I shared too many knowing looks during this show…. After reading in the program that the playwright in the film was 65 years old I feel like there was a massive part of the plot missed by casting an actor who is at most 10 years older than Sheridan if not the same age. All that said that actor, Sarah Hughes, gave my favourite performance in the show.

[@alexkubinski1099]

I saw a preview performance and was disappointed. Agree with you on most counts. The accents, for me, were the worst parts. Some top-notch professionals on stage, no doubt, but the odd "NY" accent they all tried to pull off was distracting. It's a West End musical performed by a cast of Brits . . . how hard to change a couple lines of dialogue here and there and suddenly the actors don't have to put on a lousy accent they can't pull off?

[@LucyAliceT]

Completely agree with all of this. A hot mess. I left in the interval, offended that this was given such a plum venue on such weak material, and wishing I could get a 'time refund'

[@kikkikooko]

I saw an early preview, I hear they'd cut 20 mins by show lock so I assumed it'd be a lot tighter, more cohesive etc but couldn't see how they could fix some vital elements which I thought were truly awful and nonsensical. I completely agree with your review. I was frustrated by how ridiculous/silly/poorly written so much of it was and as a theatre performer and creative infuriated by how much truly good new innovative work there is that will never get a chance to receive even a fraction of a huge budget like this. It absolutely feels like a film set, the action is set on Broadway so the use of the live camera on an obviously West End street is just stupid, the live/recorded action was out of sync when I saw it, the music was stylistically confusing and neither supported or drove the narrative. The Pet Shop Boys moment was beyond cringe. The Guardian has given it 4*s... I'm glad for Sheridan Smith as she's a great actress. The cast are all great, well, the actors that are actually used. It's not that I 'didn't get it' it's that it was unforgivably poorly written and under developed.

[@patriciomejia1114]

"Mickey Jo" and "one-star review" Those words... is it possible to use them together in a sentence like that?

[@AllofTimeandSpace]

Oh no! Not Rufus Wainwright musical so bad it gets a one star review! I listened to Rufus a lot growing up because of my parents so his music is very nostalgic to me ( although for some reason “cigarettes and chocolate milk” always scared me). I trust your judgment though mickyjo as a theatre critic that it’s bad but it makes me sad because I love Rufus’s music for how theatrical it sounds. Maybe next time Rufus works on a musical it will be better!🤞

[@rebeccag8589]

I feel the same way about Poses! He's great live too. I saw him open for Brandi Carlile and I thought he was wonderful. Oh well. No one's perfect! Haha.

[@izzymidget6298]

Pleeeease do a review roundup about this I am so curious to know what other critics said/if anyone liked it

[@reggieg2303]

See the movie with Gena Rowlands, there isn’t a superlative that describes the scope of her talent.

[@johnnynotty]

What is the weird filter you have on this video that’s repeating your hand movements? It’s really off-putting to watch

[@iamacat9265]

i'm thinking maybe it's a reference to the show having cameras on stage? like action within an action?

[@Colourful-Monochrome]

Oooft I won’t be paying this show a visit 😬 Well at least you had cheese on hand to save the evening🙏🥳🧀

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

I'm honestly still thinking about that brie on a cracker.

[@jamescollins738]

See the show this week. I bought the tickets before the show was previewed but i was aware of the reviews. Went with a open mind but sadly you are correct. The show doesn't work and i didn't enjoy it at all so i am not surprised it has been pulled.

[@adrian19831983]

I thought it was just me. Sheridan Smith fans will love her on stage. But it just felt like ivo van hove took bits from other plays, put some songs and let the improvs run wild

[@Sculliones]

Thank you for the sanity, Mickey-Jo. The reviews have me feeling as if I saw a different show. I can't believe the fawning. Hair looks great by the way.

[@williamevans9426]

Very entertaining (unlike the play, it seems!). BTW, you're getting some odd vignetting in this vlog - akin to lens flare as your hand and the play programme move to the edge of the field. 'Hope you don't mind my pointing it out. 😉😄

[@Oviya.]

I adore this review 🤣 This review has amused me so much, I now have a slight soft spot for Opening Night for inspiring this review 🤣💜

[@hannahcostanzo7488]

Oh no! Haven't watched it yet but Im a fan of Rufus so I was looking forward to new music from him for this!

[@anthonywilliams5423]

Wonderful review. Fascinating to watch you expertly, plainly and fairly dissect a dissatisfying evening of theatre. I have always admired your work and the fact that you have invented yourself into such a credible voice. Thanks and more power to you Mr. Jo Theatre.

[@soltandvinegar]

I’m forever calling him Mr Jo Theatre from now on

[@melissaboren1104]

Hoping you make another visit to NYC soon! I’m going at the end of May and have tickets for Merrily but would love to hear your thoughts on all of the new shows opening😍

[@matthewplampton955]

I feel so bad for the cast of this show. Especially Sheridan who gives her performance everything, and if it wasn't for her I would have left. They are all very talented and do everything possible. But the score and book they've been given is an absolute hot mess.

[@EKA201-j7f]

In all seriousness, you really give me hope for your generation, as you wrote about feelings, connections, depth, and so much more. You even felt for the actors in this show being trapped with inadequate scripts. You are really great. I think I will watch the movie. I'm 72 and new movies often feel "flat" and emotionless to me.

[@clevm002]

Great video and completely agree. I hated it too and when i came home i actually thought.. was that the point? Are we suposed to be disgusted by everything in this as this is what people are like now? But overall .. i really thought for me it was boarderline cringe. Next time please dont use that lense flair effect or lense .. its so distracting during the video.

[@Myplop]

Four people in my row of 7 left at interval 😂

[@williammckay5914]

I saw it on Friday March 10th and agree with everything you have said. I left the theatre thinking what have i just watched i travelled 3000km to see this drivel. Sheridan Smith is brilliant and really hope she gets the Olivier for Shirley Valentine which she was fabulous.

[@mctheplaywright]

Ivo is so hit or miss. I find myself thinking about his absolutely insane staging of Rent in 2000 often, his Toneelgroep Amsterdam work has been deeply influential to many of my favorite Theatre Artists working today. But it feels like he gets VERY into one or two big ideas when he produces internationally, and it becomes a rot at the conceptual level. I think his production of A View from the Bridge was strong, but everything else in at least the last decade is either conceptually interesting with deep structural flaws or unbalanced to the point of utter collapse.

[@mctheplaywright]

Holy SHITTTT, this is a different kind of disaster than the worst of Ivo’s prior work. I still think he’s an important player in the international theatre landscape. But imo he should go back to producing work with a team he trusts (that can push against his worst instincts) back at Toneelgroep, and then ship those functional pieces out internationally afterwards.

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

I saw this 2 weeks ago and it was awful, Sheridan smiths accent was all funny girl so you expected her to go all vaudeville comedic, none of the songs lyrically motifs repeated to give character traits, the ending was a shambles all42nd street fun, this should never have made it to the west end, it needs major workshopping, if Sheridan died that would have made sense, but some beautiful lyrics, sone belters but wasted on too many ideas in a Luke warm pot.

[@elithewho]

I saw this show three (3) times, all for Hadley, and i couldn't agree more. a nonsensical, misogynistic mess. and SUCH a waste of Hadley, i loved seeing him on stage, but why did the show have to be so bad ;-;

[@TheTradge]

Andrew Lloyd Webber has a similarly oversized ego, and Cinderella is another show that is very much a product of big names on an ego trip, especially after it went over to broadway. I think you're absolutely right, big name doesn't guarantee good quality, and there are a lot of terrific shows that aren't being given the chance to shine because nobody has heard of them. I'm hoping against hope that the success of shows like Operation Mincemeat, Standing At The Sky's Edge, Two Strangers, etc, can prove a turning point in how we look for occupants for west end theatres, because the status of a director, writer or composer, or even cast, shouldn't dictate whether or not a show is afforded space in a major London theatre, especially if it's one that's completely untested and nobody knows whether it's any good. It was refreshing to see the Tammy Faye musical play in a theatre like the Almeida, a show with a pretty huge creative team, and performers like Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells in the cast, you would expect that to play somewhere like the Lyric or the Apollo, but the producers were sensible and started off small, and it was a huge success, sold out completely. Same with Next To Normal, even though that show was only really well known to the hardcore theatre kids, and not necessarily to the casual fan. I doubt I will make the trip to see this show, because the thing I hate more than anything in theatre is when a producer, director or writer leads with a sense of imperiousness and entitlement when trying to put on a new show, instead of approaching with artistic integrity and humility.

[@thehoodpinch7364]

I’ve got a soft spot for this show; it’s definitely an acquired taste. Honestly, it might just be my own personal brand of entertainment. I have a thing for unconventional, boundary-pushing theater directors-like Ivo Van Hove, who really embodies that spirit.

[@PJ-Creativity]

“This makes her mania impossible for us to glimpse through the haze of their collective lunacy” brother that was poetic. Your review was better written than the musical you’re reviewing lol.

[@andrewbuffrey5184]

I saw the stage show this afternoon and loved it! Watch the 1977 film version for some context before going and you'll understand the creative approach and multiple layers of this captivating story. Don't assume the critics are always right - support the arts, see it and decide for yourselves.

[@donita66]

Luckily I got to see it inspite of reviews like this one! It's one of the most original plays I have seen recently. Challenging, multilayered, very touching. Probably not what the average West End audience expects.

[@robinbrivio3575]

Saw this at the weekend and yes it's an odd one quite pretentious. Actors are great but material not. One audience member said is it a case of Emperor's new clothes where you dare say it wasn't good for fear of being called dumb because you didn't understand the nuance.

[@theatreislife]

In honor of the closing announcement, finally treating myself to this review

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

😂

[@lachlanwerner9557]

Omg thank god, i saw this show on maybe the 3rd preview and left feeling completely insane myself lol

[@anthonyjones3102]

I fell asleep for most of the first half- so learned a bit of the plot here 😂

[@ren598]

Wow, that's a brutal review. I am seeing this on 4/12. Now I have no expectation going in. So much so I'm actually thinking about eating the ticket and find something else to watch instead.

[@aviationphan1847]

I wouldn't always listen to reviews. Theatre is so subjective, there are people who will like this.

[@emhu2594]

Sometimes it can be fun to watch a train wreck. It's the Morbius effect.

[@hannahgreen8999]

Do shows ever close early because of bad reviews? I'm booked right near the end of the run and having read and heard all sorts about it I'd be quite happy if my tickets got cancelled rather than me having to make the decision whether to go or not. I booked because it was Sheridan but doesn't sound like even she can save it.

[@ballyhigh11]

Bad reviews can definitely close a show early in NYC... not so much in London. But I'd be surprised if this production survives its run. Truly the worst thing I've seen on a stage (and that includes the video of my primary school nativity).

[@hannahgreen8999]

@@ballyhigh11 I shall wait and see what happens then! Thanks

[@jenicat55]

I just hope that Sheridan doesn't take the press reviews personally. (They are not, it's the material / direction) After such a great reception in Shirley Valentine this is a shame.

[@stacierice3873]

It must be bad for you to only give it one star. You usually find something like about every show.

[@TheTradge]

In terms of star ratings though, personally I would only give one star if there were literally no redeeming qualities, for what you've described, if I was going by your notes I would probably give it two stars, because for me the single star would literally be for a completed performance with zero appeal, badly designed, badly directed, badly performed and badly written.

[@StarBug40]

I think that's the most dejected "Oh my God hey" I've ever heard. It almost sounds like a cry for help 😔

[@carinen.6723]

It's fascinating as someone who took a whole class on Cassavetes and spent two weeks on this film to hear how either lost in translation or outright mangled the plot becomes through this musical stage version presents judging by your confusion of the point and meaning behind the events you saw. Frankly, even the plot points criticized in this review have more room to breathe and be actually explored in the film with a lot more emotional coherence, so it's sad to see it's been made reductive and trite. Also it sounds like the ending was botched given your take away of what was happening at the end compared to the original film given ***SPOILERS* Myrtle and her costar outright improvise their scene together to amused results from the audience which the write begrudgingly accepts and the director's wife, the same generation as Myrtle, hugs her because she feels seen, which was Myrtle barometer of success to have at least one woman feel that way***. That it came off as she fully got her groove back and did the scene as on the page means the crew here did not understand what made the ending work or did not realize how incoherent their version of the story is to the audience. The documentary aspect, probably an ode to the effect of Cassavetes's filmmaking which was highly naturalistic but did not present itself as a faux documentary, sounds like a creative choice that muddles everything further and seems irrelevant to presenting a stage show within a stage show.

[@princervv]

Based on the Gena Rowland's film of the same name from 1977. It would be interesting to watch the film perhaps?

[@SabrinaCeliaSenior]

Did you see Ivo Van Hove's All About Eve? This sounds like almost a duplication of the on stage camera usage in that, which was fairly new then, I think one of the first shows to do it, but equally didn't really work. The story/characterisation/misogyny also seem very similar. When they did the facing the back camera on the mirror shot they even added an age progression aspect to the video to show Gillian Anderson's character's insecurity about her age.

[@JonMathes-s1u]

So my bf actually invested in this show and we attended opening night. we also watched the movie, probably the worst movie i've seen, but i at least went in knowing exactly what was happening. I gotta say, i enjoyed this show. granted, anything would have been better from the movie and lord knows the plot is.....different lol. plus i LOVED the documentary interpretation. were there odd moments? yes. did most of the music feel like it belongs in a different show? yes. did the fight scene with Nancy rock my world? absolutely lol.

[@christophercobb249]

Thank you for your honesty! We need critical voices who are constructive but also fair-minded, and who are willing to say it when a show is not good. Not every show deserves a rave, and it's a relief to hear this. Honestly? As a singer myself, I know that not every singing performance I give is great. Sometimes I REALLY suck, and I would rather that people are as honest with me as I am with myself. I know when I am giving my all - and also when I have bombed, or I just have not been at my best. I wish we could all be more honest in our views on the art we consume! Thanks.

[@Showtunediva]

I was so fast to click on this because is so rare to see a one star review. I will opt not to ask about where to find a cast album as per usual as the music doesn’t sound too good.

[@operationlivetheatre]

SO glad I didn’t rush in to buy a ticket when this was first announced 😅

[@Phelie315]

I was in London a week ago and realised on the last day that there was something on with Hadley Fraser in it, so I was sad I noticed to late, because I think he's fantastic. Hearing this, maybe this was in fact for the best 😅

[@colinspackman118]

I saw this on opening night, ironically, i love Sheridan Smith and her performance is excellent but the show isn't great, in my opinion. And a few people didn't return after the interval. There are many more shows in London that are far better than this one unfortunately.

[@lizizen61]

Thanks for explaining actually 2, I left at the Interval..shocking pile of pretentious hammy poo! 😳

[@lisafox9657]

You hit the nail on the head. I saw it on the 3rd night of previews and hoped some serious edits and rewrites would save the show, but it was honestly too much of a mess to fix. Wouldn't it be amazing if indepent reviewers like you could sit in on rehearsals and provide the kind of feedback you've given here?! I was shocked that nobody associated in creating this show had put their hand up and said WTF is this? To be honest, I just felt bad for the extremely talented cast. They surely noticed the lack of standing ovation and the empty seats in the audience for the second half. I stuck with it until the end, but so many people called it quits at the intermission. So yes - it's frustrating for tother shows that derserve to be showing in the West End, and frustrating for me that I had to pay West End prices for a ticket. Sheridan Smith, Nicola Hughes, Amy Lennox and Shira Haas are clearly phenomenal talents and I was embarssed for them having to chew their way through this material every night.

[@EKA201-j7f]

😢Great idea you had of reviewers participating and giving feedback.

[@PonytailRuth]

We saw Opening Night yesterday and felt desperately sorry for the amazing Sheridan Smith and highly talented cast members as it was the most dreadful play we have ever seen. We also considered leaving during the interval as it was so awful. We somehow forced ourselves to stay, with the hope that things may improve in the second half (sadly it didn't). The cast are not to blame as unfortunately, you can't polish a turd. On a positive note, the Gielgud Theatre itself and staff are wonderful.

[@lenah9027]

Love the Cassavetes movie this is adapted from, not sure why someone would watch it and think it would make a good musical. It’s honestly weirdly appropriate that the play based on a movie about a disaster of a play is a disaster of a play.

[@jagswim]

Well, anyone who is going to see the show should watch the John Cassavetes movie first. Because you will see immediately it is extremely weird source material for a musical. And 2) you'll have a much better idea what is happening during the play. The movie was very long & tedious. Gena Rowlands of course was magnificent, so perhaps Sheridan saw it as a pedigreed role that she would embrace with its many challenges. What no one mentions is there is quite a difference in what a women's body is doing peri-menapause vs menopausal/post menopausal. Sheridan is 42 whereas Rowlands is 47. And believe me women do start stressing as their appearance begins to take the hits of time. Though obviously genetics play a huge role in when they get to enjoy these life changes.

[@melissawaldron1356]

I hated it. Would have left in the interval thinking it would improve. It didn’t. Still confused about whether the technical hold up ess real or not

[@judiththomalla6077]

It was the worst show I have ever seen! So many people left during the interval on the 9th March & some during the second half. We were a party of 8 & we all felt the same, some wanted to walk but went into the bar whilst waiting for the rest of the group to come out. The story was so weak & so confusing. If I had to score it would be -1. I love Sheridan Smith but she needs to get out of this production asap.

[@the_erin_zone]

oh my god he’s directing the LITTLE LIFE MOVIE that’s gonna be taaasstelesss omfg

[@weltenunder]

the book is tasteless enough; pure victim fetish by the author.

[@christopherbutler1980]

Van Hove CAN direct a play without cameras all over. I wish he would go back to doing just that. I don't have to see an actor's pores or up their nose. Enough.

[@rogerin2travel]

It wasn’t good.Few people walked out before the half of Act 1.Few never came back after the Intermission.

[@Caligo.dragon]

Now would be a great time for Noises Off to do another run

[@LynnHermione]

Omg a bad Mickey review? Let me get the popcorn

[@mattcross2244]

Can we petition to have Ivo Van Hove not direct musicals after this and the West Side Story production? Asking for a friend

[@metteguin]

What intrigues me is that I've seen the registration of the "original" Dutch version of this that was made almost 20 years ago. It wasn't a musical then but same director and, as from what I can tell/remember a very similar scenography too? I wonder what went wrong because as far as I know it was pretty well received back then. It might be that the camera work was super innovative back then while nowadays it's kinda overdone?

[@eveverm]

in Ivo Van Hove’s defense (gross), cameras on stage have always been his thing, even before the Sunset Boulevard revival and all the other ones. In rare instances it’s even worked (his Kings of War was wonderful, way too long but wonderful). I also quite liked Lazarus. But other than that his work REEKS of entitlement and this gross “bigger than thou” attitude, trying desperately to be clever without any regard for the actual material. Not that I would ever wish any production and/or its cast any bad luck, but seeing all these one star reviews particularly about how Van Hove’s vision didn’t work is really satisfying 😅 And what you said is so true, there’s so many wonderful new shows that are fighting for a place on the scene only to be shoved out of the way by another overproduced Van Hove piece.

[@JoanBarratt-pr5br]

Oh dear we have tickets for this weekend matinee .sounds terrible .. Hope Sheridan will at least be in it and not an understudy . Saw her in Shirley Valentine and that’s why I booked this show . Great review thank you . Looking forward to the west end transfer of my current fave show Two Strangers carry a cake across New York next week … and to your review of that 😊

[@julieh4481]

Great in depth review and shocked to hear such a negative review from Mickey Jo. Was curious about this show - definitely not going now

[@MadeleineSwannSurreal]

Knowing the film its based on, the musical sounds like a completely bizarre interpretation

[@cmclaughlin6677]

"we have everything we need to make this work" 😂

[@JoanBarratt-pr5br]

Just read the Guardian review … they seem to like the show 🤔

[@ballyhigh11]

Guardian reviews are notoriously uneven... and I saw this as a long time G subscriber.

[@chuckoneill2023]

Every show has some fans, I'm not surprised that even bad shows get a little love. That being said: Who among us doesn't enjoy a bad review more than a good one?

[@matthewgoddard9631]

4 stars from The Guardian!

[@TheGadgetPanda]

I had tickets to see it very early on in previews, but then I lucked into a ticket to see Totoro again on the same night. Oh well, I thought, I’ll have plenty of time to see Opening Night in the future. Now I wonder if I dodged a bullet there.

[@sasukeissocoollike]

OH MY GOD HEY? A ONE STAR REVIEW?

[@shlouise]

Half of me is gutted that I have tickets for this and the other half is excited to see something so awful - makes ya part of a moment 😂

[@DJWhovian]

Not sure what to do now as I have tickets for it. Really wanted to see Sheridan Smith in a show and was sad I didn't get to see Shirley Valentine.

[@sarahcarlson9539]

6:57 wait... The audience can't see the ghost? What? That's so stupid

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

I phrased this poorly - the audience within the story, the actual audience can see the ghost 😂

[@sarahcarlson9539]

Lol, that makes more sense. I won't lie though, it sounds like the show would be more fun if there was just something nonsensical like that​@@MickeyJoTheatre