Teary Amanda Abbington gets standing ovation for new play following Giovanni Pernice Strictly complaint

Virgin Radio

1 Aug 2024, 10:51

Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington broke down in tears after receiving a standing ovation on the debut night of her new play, When It Happens To You, after months of dealing with her Strictly Come Dancing trauma.

Starring as the lead in the intense four-person 90-minute thriller, the former Strictly star plays an American writer whose daughter calls her to say she has been raped in New York.

The 2023 contestant, who quit the BBC series and lodged an official complaint against partner Giovanni Pernice, was seen in her first public appearance since the proceedings at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, north London wearing a T-shirt saying 'Quiet No More'.

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Speaking outside the theatre, she told the MailOnline: "It is a wonderful play and an important story to be told. I was chomping at the bit to perform it in front of an audience."

Of the slogan T-shirt, she explained: "It's an important message. It's all about protecting sections of society, it's not rocket science.

"It's about trying to be nice and expecting others to be nice in return, but it's not always the case."

Play director Jez Bond said about working with Abbington following the Strictly drama: "After I sent her the script, she got back to me immediately and said she wanted to do it, because it was an important story to tell.

"When the Strictly situation blew up the misogynistic narrative was deeply frustrating.

"Amanda's hands are tied at the moment because she can't talk about it publicly while the investigation is ongoing.

"Do I have faith in the investigation? Not at all. But the truth will out as it always does."

Amanda opened up about her experience since coming forward and told Channel 4 News last week: "It’s been brutal and relentless and unforgiving.

"Well the aftermath has been something that I wasn’t expecting you know, the death threats and rape threats towards not only to myself but to my daughter. And threats of death to my son."

Speaking to the Sun On Sunday, Abbington said: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.

“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.

“I know what happened in that room, it’s on video, and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It’s a duty of care that is needed.”

She added: “Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness, and that courtesy wasn’t extended to me on this job."

Responding to Amanda's interview, a spokesperson for Giovanni said: "The BBC has shared allegations from the inquiry with Giovanni, who has cooperated fully... Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour.

"He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation and he remains fully confident of clearing his name."

Catch When It Happens To You until Sat 31 Aug at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park.