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X-Files' Anderson Debuts in What the Night Is For

X-Files' star Gillian Anderson makes her West End debut tonight (27 November 2002), starring opposite multiple Olivier Award winner Roger Allam in the premiere of Michael Weller's What the Night Is For. The two-hander opens for a limited season, following previews from 7 November 2002.

In What the Night Is For, Anderson plays Melinda Metz, a married woman who, after many years, reunites with her ex-lover Adam Penzius (Allam) who's also married. He comes to her hotel room for dinner - and one passionate night of honesty and deceit, hope and regret. Exploring attitudes towards modern marriage and infidelity, the play asks: How do you know you're really with 'the one'?

Anderson is best known as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in TV's cult sci-fi hit The X Files, which finished filming its ninth and final series earlier this year; while her film credits include The X Files Movie, The House of Mirth and Playing by Heart. Before her screen successes, Anderson trained as a stage actress in the States. Her last major stage appearance was a decade ago in a US production of Christopher Hampton's The Philanthropist. She has also previously appeared on stage in benefit performances of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues and the Richard Rodgers centenary charity gala "Some Enchanted Evening".

Allam's many London stage credits include his recent award-winning turns in Privates on Parade at the Donmar Warehouse and Summerfolk, Money and Troilus and Cressida at the National.

What the Night Is For is directed by John Caird and designed by Tim Hatley, with lighting by Paul Pyant - the same creative team behind the recent award-winning production of Humble Boy. It is presented in the West End by Brigid Larmour and Nick Salmon of Act Productions, co-produced by Sonia Friedman.

- by Terri Paddock

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