Sheridan Smith begs fans to ‘please come’ to under-fire West End musical amid slashed ticket sales as she admits ‘there’s so much pressure’

Sheridan Smith has defended her new West End musical Open Night after it was revealed earlier this week that ticket prices for the show have been reduced.

The actress, 42, stars as functioning alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon in the new musical, which is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.

However, fans have been baffled and bored by the production, with dozens of theatergoers leaving the show nearly every night since its March 6 debut complaining about the baffling plot.

And in an attempt to fill the audience, Sheridan herself begged fans to attend the production, as she admitted she felt “so much pressure.”

Speaking to Scott Mills on his Radio 2 show on Tuesday, she confessed about the performance: ‘I get terrified, it gets worse as I get older. I was fearless when I moved to London. Now there’s so much pressure.’

The actress, 42, stars as functioning alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon in the new musical – which is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.

She implored listeners to buy their tickets, adding: ‘It’s (Opening Night) absolutely fascinating and fun… please come!’

Tickets for the show have already been reduced and are being sold at the London Theater at a 36% discount, with prices starting from £25. ShowFilmFirst is also selling them for the same price.

Previously, front row tickets cost visitors £176, but they can now be purchased for £110.

Reporters attending the Opening Night at the Gielgud Theater saw at least 50 spectators leave during the intermission on two separate nights last week. Theater staff confirmed that this happens regularly.

And while some critics have hailed the avant-garde show as “extraordinary,” dozens of stunned ticket holders voted with their feet and walked out halfway through – or even before the interval.

Among those heading for an early departure last week was Helen, 59, an administration worker for the NHS, who went with a friend.

She said: ‘I had no idea what was going on. It’s not Sheridan – she’s a great actress – but I fell asleep.’

After a successful premiere, Sheridan was joined by her friends who had come to the Gielgud Theater to see her.

Speaking to Scott Mills on his Radio 2 show on Tuesday, she confessed about performing: ‘I get terrified, it gets worse as I get older. I was fearless when I moved to London. Now there is so much pressure’ (pictured during the press evening last week)

She implored listeners to buy their tickets, adding: “It’s (Opening Night) absolutely fascinating and fun… please come!”

Tickets for the show have already been reduced and are now being sold at London Theater at a 36% discount with prices starting from £25, ShowFilmFirst is also selling them for the same price

Happy Valley actor James Norton congratulated Sheridan shortly after she was joined by her co-stars including Amy Lennox and writer Rufus Wainwright.

Sheridan has started a 21-week role in the new musical Opening Night at the Gielgud Theater – based on the 1977 film of the same name about the actress who is left traumatized by the death of a teenage fan.

The moment is filmed live outside the London theater every night, so that all passers-by can see it and the audience can witness the action live via a video broadcast to the theater.

Sheridan – who told MailOnline exclusively that she took on the role to ‘take control of her own demons’ – can be seen outside the theater as Myrtle, who turns up late on the first night of the show after having too much has been drinking.

She said: ‘It feels like a moment where you take back control. I feel like the role is a gift, it’s a gift of a role for any actress to play and I’m loving every minute of it, it’s such an honor. I can’t wait for people to see it now.’

The Care favorite is on fine form as she raves about her return to theater – after receiving rave reviews for her most recent role in The Castaways.

She added: “When I went home on Sunday I have to say I woke up and I was in pain all over and I thought, my goodness, I’m getting older.”