Inside Sheridan Smith’s inner circle: The famous friends she will be relying on as her West End play Opening Night closes two months early
Sheridan Smith has suffered a blow to her career when her West End play Opening Night was cut short by two months after failing to impress ‘bored’ audiences and critics.
Fans were baffled by the production, with scores pouring out of the show almost every night since its debut on March 6, complaining about the confusing plot.
The West End play was due to end on July 27, but after poor reviews and theatergoers walking out, the final performance will now take place on May 18.
Producers blamed a “challenging financial landscape” for the decision to ax the series, which takes place at London’s Gielgud Theatre.
In the coming weeks, Sheridan is likely to call on some of her closest showbiz friends as she tries to shake off the piece’s negative reception.
Sheridan Smith has suffered a blow to her career as her West End play Opening Night was cut short by two months after failing to impress ‘bored’ audiences and critics
In the coming weeks, Sheridan will likely call on some of her closest showbiz friends as she tries to shake off the piece’s negative reception.
It was recently reported that Opening Night was in danger of being cut due to investor fears that even Sheridan’s star power would not draw a crowd.
Here, MailOnline takes a look at the star’s inner circle.
Charley Webb
One of Sheridan’s closest friends is Emmerdale actress Charley Webb.
Charley, who played Debbie Dingle in the ITV soap, even came to watch Sheridan’s rehearsals for Opening Night one day.
The soap actress posed for an adorable photo with Sheridan’s son Billy, who she shares with her ex Jamie Horn.
Sheridan shared the photo and wrote: ‘We had some visitors at the theater this week. Billy loved being with Mom. Three more days.’
Sheridan also posted a video of Charley and Billy on their way to the venue, writing: “I miss mommy, I love mommy.”
One of Sheridan’s best friends is Emmerdale actress Charley Webb (Charley pictured with her sons Bowie, seven, Ace, four, and Sheridan’s three-year-old son Billy)
James Norton
Sheridan also has a friendship with fellow actor and Happy Valley star James Norton.
The actor appeared to support Sheridan at the Opening Night afterparty in March.
The pair looked in good spirits as they posed for a photo together at The Ham Yard Hotel to celebrate her performance.
While Sheridan is going through career difficulties, James has been dealing with a more personal heartbreak lately.
He split from fiance Imogen Poots before Christmas after they ‘grew apart’. He has since joined celebrity dating app Raya.
Sheridan also has a friendship with fellow actor and Happy Valley star James Norton
Anna Friel
Sheridan is also known to have a friendship with Anna Friel.
The pair have been seen together on several nights and Anna is also a seasoned theater performer with roles in Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Go Vanya.
Anna rose to fame in the Channel 4 soap Brookside as Beth Jordache.
After her two-year stint on the soap opera, Anna had an illustrious acting career and even won an Emmy Award for her performance in Pushing Daisies and Marcella.
Her more recent appearances include a role in the thriller Locked In and the lead role in the musical drama series Monarch.
Sheridan and Anna Friel (left) have been seen together on several nights and Anna is also a seasoned theater performer with roles in Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Go Vanya