Sheridan Smith is making her triumphant return to UK cinemas later this year, perhaps hoping that the box office will treat her better than some of her past pets. This time, it’s her critically-acclaimed performance in *Funny Girl* that will grace the big screen, marking its glorious 10th anniversary—because apparently, nostalgia can pay the bills.
This musical comedy first dazzled audiences at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2015, a venue so quaint it makes you wonder if the chocolate is actually for sale. Following its rave reviews, it gracefully transferred to the glamorous West End’s Savoy Theatre in 2016 before setting off on a UK tour, probably leaving a trail of broken hearts and ticket stubs behind.
In her role as the legendary performer Fanny Brice, Smith has managed to shine in a part originally breathed to life by the one and only Barbra Streisand. Not to be outdone, Streisand starred in *Funny Girl* on Broadway in 1964, twinkled over to London in 1966, and then rinsed and repeated in the film version of 1968—because why do one thing when you can do it all twice?
The enchanting story follows Brice from her humble beginnings on the vaudeville circuit to her evolution into a colossal Broadway star, all while belting out iconic showtunes like ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ and ‘People’. Let’s face it: if those tunes don’t make you re-evaluate your life choices, nothing will.
According to WhatsOnStage—because who needs to know about real news when you can be updated on theatrical brilliance—a filmed performance of Smith’s portrayal will hit select cinemas across the nation starting 30 April. Liberator Film Services has confirmed on Instagram that this was captured at the Manchester Opera House during the final night of its tour in February 2017. Ticket sales: initiate chaos.
The show, which co-starred the late Darius Campbell Danesh, received stellar reviews back in the day. The Guardian heralded Smith’s performance as “never less than astonishing” in a four-star critique. Because, let’s be real, what’s three stars among friends when you’ve got a bright star like Smith gracing the stage?
The Arts Desk declared that though Brice may play to the rafters, Smith keeps an intimate connection with her audience—perhaps some kind of magical telepathy? A star turn that nearly transforms a good musical into an utterly great one. Sounds easy, right?
In a dazzling five-star review, London Theatre chimed in, saying, “Smith makes it into something extraordinary — truthful, bold and heart-stopping by turns.” That’s right, folks—she does the impossible, making the iconic numbers her own. Maybe next she’ll tackle the more daunting task of making broccoli taste like chocolate.
Meanwhile, Smith is currently back in the West End once again, starring alongside Romesh Ranganathan in *Woman In Mind*, probably contemplating why she hasn’t yet donned a superhero cape. And if that wasn’t enough excitement, she’s also starring in a new high-stakes TV drama called *The Cage*, where she and her co-star Michael Socha discover that they both plan to rob the same casino. Spoiler alert: chaos ensues.
For those keeping track of cinematic appearances, she’ll also be gracing the big screen alongside Rebel Wilson in *Girl Group*, a thriller about a pop star who finds herself unceremoniously dumped from her bandmates’ reunion tour. It’s like a dramatic episode of *Survivor*, but with more sequins and potentially even fewer snacks.
*Funny Girl* will be showing in select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 30 April, guaranteeing that more tears will be shed than during a rom-com marathon.
