Actor Gillian Anderson addressed a group of fans outside the Soho Place Theatre after a video went viral showing her telling them that repeatedly sitting in the front row of her West End show was distracting her during performances.
The X-Files and Sex Education star is currently performing alongside Billy Crudup in Edward Albee’s play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, playing the frustrated wife Martha.
The Viral Stage Door Encounter
The footage was filmed outside the theatre’s stage door after a performance as Anderson signed autographs and met fans. In the video, which amassed millions of views on TikTok, Anderson is heard telling a group of women: You guys cannot sit in the front row. I do not care; you cannot sit in the front row. It’s so distracting.
Off-camera, the fans can be heard responding with I’m sorry
and I know,
while one woman mentioned that the performance made them cry. Anderson replied: You can’t come 20 times and sit in the front row, it’ll drive me mad.
Anderson Defends Fans After Video Sparks Online Debate
After the video sparked debate online regarding fan etiquette, the 58-year-old actor took to X to clarify the interaction. She defended the individuals involved, writing: 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.
Anderson noted that the 602-seat auditorium is an intimate venue where performers are metres away from the audience. She added: 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!
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