Who is the nation’s favourite actress? We’d answer Sheridan Smith and tickets for her starring role in Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory go on sale today.

It’s probably the theatrical event that monstagigz is most excited about this year. We’d expect the Sonia Friedman Productions show, which runs 20/11 – 5/3 at the Menier, to sell out there, transfer to the West End and then perhaps hit Broadway.

Funny Girl hasn’t been seen on a British stage since 1966 and won its star Barbra Streisand a best actress Oscar for her turn as comedienne Fanny Brice. The fabulous score including I’m the Greatest Star, People and Don’t Rain On My Parade charts her rise to fame and doomed relationship.

Smith is quite the star herself having won Oliviers for Legally Blonde and Flare Path and recently starring on TV as Cilla Black. monstagigz shared a cigarette with her after her last night starring in Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic and can confirm she’s also one of the nicest and most down-to-earth stars you’re ever likely to meet.

Funny Girl is her first stage role since Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream opposite David Walliams (Noel Coward Theatre) and is a return to the Menier where she was in Little Shop of Horrors.

Tickets go on sale today. Don’t miss out.

NOTE added 19/8: Tickets for the entire 15-week run sold out by 10.30am on Monday, a Menier record. Those West End and Broadway transfers looking ever more likely.

UPDATE: Funny Girl transfers to the Savoy Theatre 9/4/16 – 2/7/16. Tickets available here from 8am 16/11. To buy tickets earlier become a member of the Menier here.