Superstar actress Sheridan Smith is currently playing Fanny Brice in the Menier Chocolate Factory run of Funny Girl. The run sold out within minutes when it went on sale and the show quickly announced a West End transfer to the Savoy Theatre from 8 April for a six month run.
Last night, Sheridan took to Twitter to apologise to fans who had made the trip to see her perform but she was taking to night off to be by her father’s side after hearing he had been diagnosed with Cancer.
Even though there is an understudy and the show continued without her, Sheridan has promised that she will personally fork out for tickets to see her during the Savoy Theatre run and even in some cases has offered to pay for fans travel and given out backstage passes to apologise.
However, Sheridan has continued on Twitter this morning to say that producers of the show were being less than supportive over her decision that she is considering pulling out of the show completely. “People think I pulled out of Funny Girl, not just yet, I missed 1 show last night, back to finish this week then we’ll see.”
Such an inspirational woman, willing to spend her own money on her fans to make it up to them. Obviously, when anyone buys tickets to see a show with a particular performer, there is always the chance that they may not be able to perform every show due to illness or other circumstances but Sheridan has gone over and above anything that is required of her in this situation.
The producers of the show have today released this statement:
“Our priority at this time is to Sheridan and her family. Sheridan’s primary concern is quite rightly her father’s wellbeing, and we support her wholeheartedly. We would never ask nor expect an artist to perform in this situation, and ask that you respect her and her family’s privacy at this time. She will not be performing in Funny Girl this evening, and we will take each day as it comes. Tonight’s performance of Funny Girl will go ahead with her understudy Natasha J Barnes.
“The run of Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory has been a tremendous success, and we look forward to welcoming audiences to the transfer at the Savoy from April. For those patrons who have tickets to any affected performances at the Menier and choose not to see the show, the producers are in agreement with Sheridan, and would like to confirm her offer of tickets to see her in Funny Girl at the Savoy. Tickets will be subject to availability. Patrons should contact the Menier to make arrangements.”
Fingers crossed everything works out for Sheridan and most importantly that her dad is ok.
Funny Girl tells the fascinating bitter-sweet story of Fanny Brice (Smith), whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, and her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including “People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”.
West End Wilma
Photo: Marc Brenner
REVIEW: Funny Girl (Menier Chocolate Factory)
Buy tickets to the West End transfer of Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre
