Sheridan Smith 'Out Of Her Depth'?

Set to open officially on 13 January, Legally Blonde is preparing for a high-profile run in the West End. However, leading lady Sheridan Smith has spoken out about the pressures of live theatre. In a frank interview with the Times, Smith confessed: "I usually play slappers and chavs but this is a real monster of a part. There's singing, dancing, comedy, pathos... I'm scared I'm out of my depth."

Smith is no stranger to musical theatre, having survived a successful run with the NYMT's revival of Bugsy Mallone as a teenager. After she was given the part of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Smith told the Stage: "I’m a real perfectionist and, if I can’t get something right, I get very frustrated and full of self-doubt. I need a lot of support and encouragement." However, on the cast, Sheridan has been nothing but grateful, commenting: This company’s been amazing—they’ve believed in me all the way.”

Discussing the part, Sheridan said she is impressed by Elle: "She is that naive, vulnerable girl. Everyone looks down their nose at her and she steps up." Her main problem with playing the part, she confesses, is the character's privileged upbringing: "The thing I'm finding difficult is that she's so rich. That's so not me—in fact, I keep forgetting to cross my legs all the time. All these long gorgeous locks and pink dresses and they're going, 'Sheridan, you're sitting like a boy'."

Currently in preview, Legally Blonde: The Musical opens officially at the Savoy Theatre next month.

[source]