Sheridan Smith, one of Britain's most renowned actresses, has opened up about her mental health struggles and the tattoos she acquired during a difficult period. The 42-year-old star is currently performing in the musical 'Opening Night' at London's Gielgud Theatre, a role she describes as 'close to the bone' due to her own past experiences.
In 2016, Smith temporarily withdrew from the West End production of 'Funny Girl' due to stress, exhaustion, and her father's cancer diagnosis. Reflecting on that time, she said: 'I had a wobble, covered myself in tattoos. I lost a lot of confidence around that time, but it has come back thankfully, due to friends and supportive people.'
'Opening Night', based on the 1977 film, follows a theatre company preparing for a Broadway show. Smith plays Myrtle, a star experiencing a nervous breakdown after a fan's death. The actress draws parallels with her own life, noting: 'I have been in my own mental crisis before, which was quite well publicised, so there are definitely parts of myself that I can bring to the character.'
This production marks the first time Smith has been able to display her tattoos on stage, as they are usually covered with heavy make-up. The show features a unique scene where Myrtle collapses outside the theatre, projected onto screens inside the auditorium. Smith encourages audiences to gather outside, saying: 'It adds to it all, makes it all so live and real.'
Smith, who became a mother in 2020, credits her son as her motivation. While he has visited her dressing room, she jokes that 'Opening Night' is not suitable for a three-year-old. However, he joined her on stage during the curtain call for 'Shirley Valentine' in 2023, prompting Smith to laugh: 'I thought, oh no! There's something in him, he is loving it all!'
Proudly working class, Smith hopes opportunities for working-class children in drama schools are improving. Despite her well-publicised troubles, she remains grateful for public support, especially after her father's death in 2016. 'The public always stood by me,' she said. 'They understood that when you are grieving, you can't really explain what you go through.'
