Gillian Anderson has explained why she asked a group of repeat theatre-goers not to sit in the front row of her West End show, saying their presence can be “distracting” in the intimate venue.
The Sex Education star, 58, was filmed speaking to a group of fans outside the Soho Place Theatre, where she is currently starring in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? alongside Billy Crudup.
Video exchange goes viral
In the video, which has been widely shared online, Anderson tells the women: “You guys cannot sit in the front row.
“I don’t care. You cannot sit in the front row. It’s so distracting.”
The women, who are off-camera, can then be heard apologising before Anderson adds: “You can’t come 20 times and sit in the front row, it’ll drive me mad.”
Anderson clarifies relationship with fans
The clip prompted a wave of discussion online, with some viewers questioning whether actors should be able to dictate where repeat audience members sit.
However, Anderson later clarified the circumstances behind the exchange and revealed she has known the women for more than two decades.
She wrote on X: “The video doing the rounds is me talking with women I go back over 20 years with – so please don’t say anything negative to or about them.
“We’re thrilled to be doing this show but for people in the front row, please be aware that in such an intimate venue we can all see you and, sometimes, it can be a tad distracting!
“That’s all. All good. On with the show and love to everyone and thank you to all of those coming.”
The production details
The Soho Place Theatre is billed as the West End’s newest theatre in 50 years, and opened to much fanfare in 2022. It has a capacity of 602, making it a considerably more intimate venue than many of London’s larger theatres.
Anderson is currently starring as Martha in Edward Albee’s 1962 drama, with The Morning Show star Crudup playing George.
The Standard’s theatre critic praised the pair’s performances, describing Anderson as “as good as you’d hope and expect” as the “bleary, destructive Martha”, while calling Crudup a “revelation” as George.
The production, directed by Marianne Elliott, runs until December 19.
The incident comes after another Hollywood star addressed audience behaviour at a London theatre last month.
Cate Blanchett asked audience members to stop filming her National Theatre production of Electra/Persona during its curtain call, saying filming the show “spoils it for the next group of people who come in and are present with us”.
The Australian actress, 57, received cheers and applause from the audience after making the request. Blanchett is starring in the production at the Lyttelton Theatre until October 10.
