The Press Association have issued a press release regarding the "Press Night" performance of "American Psycho" at the Almeida Theatre, London. It includes comments from Matt plus Billie Piper and Lenny Henry:
Doctor Who star Matt Smith was given a standing ovation for his portrayal of a serial killer on the first night of a new musical stage adaptation of American Psycho.
Smith, 30, wowed the audience, which included stars of stage and screen, with his all-singing, all-dancing performance at London's Almeida Theatre.
The controversial Bret Easton Ellis novel, published in 1991, was made into a film starring Christian Bale as psychopathic investment banker Patrick Bateman in 2000.
This is the first time the tale of the 1980s spree-killer has been told on the stage.
Smith, who will bow out of his BBC1 role as the Doctor in the Christmas special to be replaced with Peter Capaldi, said the stage production directed by the Almeida's artistic director Rupert Goold was "exciting".
"It's been a wonderful role to get to play," he said at the after party of the show's press night. "It's really exciting to work with Rupert, and a good start to life at the Almeida.
"I was pleased with the reaction - they were up on their feet, which is something.
"I'm so proud of the cast and all the work everyone's done."
He had previously appeared on stage in The History Boys at the National Theatre. Its new artistic director Rufus Norris was among those in the audience.
While some scenes of brutal murder, sex and the use of drugs are unsuitable for younger fans of Smith, those at the Almeida tonight were full of praise.
Fellow Doctor Who actor Billie Piper said: "I loved it, I absolutely loved it. It's a great night out.
"I feel enormously thrilled and proud of everyone I know who's part of it.
"I love that it's been made into a musical. It's inspired. It feels like it should have been a musical all along, as it gives such character and personality."
The music is very strongly rooted in the 1980s, featuring songs by Genesis and Huey Lewis and the News, many of them sung by Smith in his surprisingly soulful voice.
Piper added: "You can't beat the 80s. This feels like the beginning of something really long-running. It has a real punch."
Comedian and actor Lenny Henry said: "Matt Smith held the stage incredibly well. And how fantastic to have something like this at the Almeida.
"It has the same energy as something like the Jerry Springer musical - it shouldn't be a musical, but it works."
Sophie McShera, who plays Daisy in Downton Abbey, said: "I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I really enjoyed it. I loved all the singing and thought all the performances were so cool."
Bianca Jagger and Janet Street-Porter were also in the audience.
The musical thriller runs until February 1 and could transfer to the West End and Broadway.
The Almeida Theatre and Headlong are the co-producers of American Psycho, in association with Act 4 Entertainment.
Smith's co-stars in the musical include Ben Aldridge, Charlie Anson, Jonathan Bailey, Katie Brayben, Cassandra Compton, Holly Dale Spencer, Susannah Fielding, Simon Gregor, Holly James, Lucie Jones, Tom Kay, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Eugene McCoy and Hugh Skinner.
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