Sheridan Smith puts on a racy display in a semi-sheer black mini dress for ... trends now

Sheridan Smith put on a racy display in a semi-sheer black mini dress as she celebrated her West End performance in the Opening Night on Tuesday.

The actress, 42, flashed her toned torso in the cut-out style ensemble and elevated her toned legs with black platform high-heels.

The icon was all smiles as she arrived at the afterparty at The Ham Yard Hotel to cheers to her incredible performance - which went down a hit with critics. 

Sheridan stars as functioning alcoholic actress Myrtle Gordon in the new musical - which is based on the 1977 drama film starring Gena Rowlands.

The acclaimed TV star - who endured a public breakdown amid her run in Funny Girl in 2016 - dyed her blonde locks brown especially for the part. 

A host of celebrities attended the press night performance at The Gielgud Theatre to support Sheridan in the musical and joined her in celebrating afterwards.

Happy Valley actor James Norton was seen congratulating Sheridan, shortly after she was joined by the her co-stars including Amy Lennox and writer Rufus Wainwright.

Sheridan has begun a 21-week sting in the new musical Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre - based on the namesake 1977 film about the actress who is left traumatised by the death of a teenage fan.

The moment is filmed live every night outside the London theatre, for all passersby to see and the audience witnesses the action live via a video transmitted into the theatre.

Sheridan - who exclusively told MailOnline she took on the role to 'take control' of her own demons - can be seen outside the theatre as Myrtle, turning up late to the first night of the show after taking a drop too much.

The actress described being offered the role as 'a gift' because she can use it to finally extinguish past traumas which threatened to derail her career.

She said: 'It feels like a moment of taking back control. I feel like the part is a gift, it's a gift of a part for any actress to play and I'm loving every minute of it, it's such an honour. I can't wait for people to see it now.'

The Care favourite is on great form as she speaks enthusiastically about her return to theatre - after getting raving reviews for her most recent role in The Castaways.