A video of Hollywood actress Gillian Anderson being complained about by a group of fans for being ‘distracting’ has gone viral – and it’s sparked some backlash. sex education The 58-year-old star is currently playing the lead role Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? In London’s West End.
The play – directed by Marianne Elliot – began a run of shows at Soho Place on 21 September, with Gillian making her debut as Martha opposite Billy Crudup as George. And while tickets are selling fast, it seems a small group of superfans are joining the queue for the dates to get a glimpse of Gillian.
As fans gathered outside the theater to wait for autographs and photos with the cast, Gillian recognized the group of women whom she claimed had sat in the front row at several performances of the Edward Albee production.
Addressing them politely, the actress said, ‘You guys can’t sit in the front row, you can’t sit.’ A superfan can then be heard telling him: ‘You made us cry.’
Gillian is starring in the West End production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? © Getty Images
However, it seemed like Gillian was not happy with this reaction. He warned women not to sit in the front row of the theater because it was distracting.
‘I don’t care. “You can’t sit in the front row, it’s too distracting,” Gillian replied. “You can’t come 20 times and sit in the front row. It will drive me crazy.’
The group of women – who could not be seen in the video – can be heard responding to Starr’s warning. One said, ‘I’m sorry,’ while the other sympathetically told her, ‘I know.’
A second clip, taken during a different evening show at the theatre, showed Gillian questioning a fan who was asking for an autograph. He can be heard saying, ‘Again? You’ve been taking one every day.’
The actress targeted the fans © Getty Images
After the first video circulated on social media, x files The actress released a statement, where she clarified what happened and what she was complaining about.
Gillian wrote on
She added, ‘We are thrilled to be doing this show, but for those sitting in the front row, please keep in mind that in such an intimate venue we can all see you and sometimes, it can be a little distracting! That is all. All good. Keep the show going and love everyone and thanks to everyone who came.
Fans came out to support the actress and stressed that she should be able to ‘set boundaries’ with fans. Responding to
Cate Blanchett has also complained about theater etiquette © Getty Images
Gillian is the latest star to join the ongoing debate over theater etiquette. Last month, Cate Blanchett was forced to ask theatergoers to put away their smartphones after the curtain elektra/persona At the Lyttelton Theater of the National Theater in London.
Kate, 57, called out people for ‘ruining’ the show. “There are few places on this planet where we can just be together and exist,” he said. I understand you love filming Curtain Call – and it’s flattering in a way – but whoever is filming the show, please don’t do that, because it ruins it for the next group of people who come in and are present with us. So thank you very much.
He and Gillian follow in her footsteps WickedCynthia Erivo, who presented her performance Dracula In April, Noël Coward was forced to pause in the crowd at the Theater after watching a fan record the show.
Footage of the moment was shared online, showing Cynthia’s one-woman adaptation of the classic novel closing as theatergoers sat in silence. A production assistant told attendees to ‘remain seated’, adding that the show would ‘recommence shortly’ before the incident was dealt with.
Cynthia Erivo stopped her Dracula performance due to a fan’s behavior © Getty Images
And just a month later, Rosamund Pike had to call out a theatergoer who was texting during her Along with other things Show at the National Theatre. After the curtain fell, the 47-year-old star returned to the stage to address the crowd.
‘Someone was sending messages in this area. You know who you are. I wouldn’t leave you alone but you know it affects performance. Maybe this was very important. You could be a doctor and be saving someone’s life and I hope you are,’ she said.
‘But we see things. We feel them and so when I feel it and see it it’s hard,’ Rosamond said. ‘I’m trying to tell you a story and I’m feeling you and I hope you’re feeling me too.’
Other stars who have recently expressed concerns about theater etiquette include Isa Briones, who had to ask fans to stop yelling at the references. the pit when she was performing in a musical At the right time. And there’s also Andrew Scott, Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, who have complained about issues with theater audiences.
Possibly one of the most outrageous stories comes from Kristin Scott Thomas, who claimed she saw a theater goer eating ‘prepared food in the front row’ during a performance.