Gillian Anderson takes on Martha in the West End: ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ with Billy Crudup at @sohoplace

One of the most anticipated productions of the autumn in London has begun its stage journey: Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is now playing at @sohoplace in the West End, with Gillian Anderson as Martha and Billy Crudup as George, as WhatsOnStage reports.

Director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Company) stages the drama in the round — the audience surrounds the stage on all four sides, pulling it straight into the couple’s dangerous game. The cast also includes Josh Dylan as Nick and Phoebe Horn as Honey, with the production by Sonia Friedman Productions in association with Nica Burns.

The story unfolds late at night on an American university campus: the long-married couple Martha and George invite the young couple Nick and Honey over for drinks — and the evening turns into a psychological game that lasts until dawn. It is the first West End revival of the play since 2017, when it starred Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill.

Anderson has said she has dreamed of the role of Martha for decades and is thrilled that Crudup (The Morning Show) is joining her “in the ring,” as the actress herself put it. The official press night is set for September 30, with performances continuing until December 19; the production has made 5,500 front-row seats available throughout the run.