The lead in a new play destined for Broadway and already on edge, Myrtle starts to seriously spiral.
Manny, she pleads with the plays director, Im in trouble.
But, then again, who else?
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The raw talent, the extraordinary voice, the fragility and the forcefulness… Smith has it all.
Rufuss songs are like Sondheimsharder to learn than Sondheims!
she says excitedly, that irresistible Lincolnshire accent a touch huskier these days.
She corrects herself: Aboutme.
Van Hove, her director, is convinced.
[It] demands a singer who is also a great actressan actress with refined sensibilities and mature craftsmanship.
Sheridan is never afraid of a challenge.
And her charisma has always captivated.
That and a unique, boundless ability to straddle the high and low.
Then there was the BAFTA for her titular role in TVsMrs.
Then it all came tumbling down.
There are moments that are going to trigger me, Smith says today of taking on Myrtle.
In hindsight, Smith can point to the moment when her own foundations began to crack.
It sent her spinning and years of suppressed anxiety started to bubble to the surface.
Although the work (so much work!)
and plaudits (all glowing!)
kept coming, a debilitating self-doubt began to take hold.
Smith struggled to keep her head above water as the show transferred to the West End.
There were allegations of drinking on the job and missed curtain calls.
Eventually, she left the production to care for her father in his final days.
Today her therapist tells her: Forgive yourself for your behavior then.
Your dad was dying.
She sounds heartbreakingly unsure still.
I feel like I let a lot of people down who bought tickets.
I feel like I let my dad downhe was dying and I made it about me.
I just couldnt handle it.
But I had those last five days with him and Ill never forget that.
So, yes,Opening Nightwill present its challenges.
This happened to Smith 15 minutes into one performance ofFunny Girl.
Why, then, I wonder, has she agreed to do it?
She says she has surprised herself.
I thought theyd wheel me out in my 60s for a limited run ofGypsy, she says, snorting.
And there wasOpening Night.
Ive never seen it.
I didnt even know I had it.
It was the weirdest thing.
I dont even believe in all that but…
I sat and watched it and thought: Wow, that is a role.
They will be on hand throughout the run.
Smith wishes shed had therapy sooner.
Ishouldhave had it sooner, but, you know, theres a real working-class [stigma].
I cant blame the machine, she says, but it was really obvious I was struggling.
I felt people getting angry at me rather than trying to understand me.
She bagged an agent and a role inInto the Woodsat the Donmar Warehouse followed.
Smith has worked consistently ever since.
She doesnt have to have them if she doesnt want them.
[My mum said], You have to have a child, Sheridan.
And I went, she looks disbelieving, Mum, like, now?
Suddenly, Smith is laughing.
It sounds [like] Ive just had a child to look after me in my old age now!
But that wasnt the point of the story.
The point being: It is lonely, but now I have my son I dont feel lonely anymore.
I dont feel lonely.
Since they split in 2021, shes returned to London.
Now that shes single in the city, is she on the apps?
Its the first time she blushes.
I did get on the apps… Im too busyIve got a script to learn!
Can I talk about my diagnosis?
There are a lot of plates spinning, but theyre all holding up.
Is she nervous about this show?
But ultimately, she is lookinghopingfor catharsis.
Its taking a bit of ownership back.
I feel like what youre going to want is that realness because Ive been there.
Hopefully I can bring that to it, without getting lost again.
Thats the main thing.
You dont want to go backwards, ever.
This time she is working hard to remember That its just a play, she says, smiling.
Its just a show.
Opening Nightwill beat Londons Gielgud Theatrefrom March 6.
