Amanda Abbington hugged fans and posed for selfies following a triumphant return to the stage — putting her Strictly woes behind her.
Abbington received a rousing ovation after performing at the intimate Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, north London, in front of a near sell-out 209-strong crowd.
She appeared in the lead role in When It Happens To You by American playwright Tawni O’Dell — her first public appearance since the Strictly furore.
The former Sherlock actress, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Quiet no more’, later told MailOnline of her pride after receiving a rapturous reception.
Speaking outside the Park Theatre, she said: ‘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.’
Referring to her slogan t-shirt, she said: ‘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.’
Actress Amanda Abbington (pictured) hugged fans and posed for selfies following a triumphant return to the stage last night
Amanda took on the role of Tara in the true story about a mother trying to hold her family together after a devastating event changes the course of their lives
After her performance, Amanda posed for photos with the play’s director Jez Bond
The former Sherlock actress, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Quiet no more’, later told MailOnline of her pride after receiving a rapturous reception
Play director Jez Bond said he had wanted to work with Abbington for a number of years and first sent her the script 18 months ago.
Speaking after the play’s first public performance in Britain, he said: ‘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 publically while the investigation is ongoing.
Amanda Abbington commanded the stage as she made her debut performance in her new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in London on Wednesday
For her performance, she wore a white blouse along with a pair of mauve trousers while her brunette locks were slicked back
‘Do I have faith in the investigation? Not at all. But the truth will out as it always does.’
The Sherlock actress has made allegations about dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s tough training techniques last year.
In January, it was reported the 51-year-old requested footage of the duo’s ‘tense’ training sessions, leading to a misconduct probe.
The results of the investigation are expected to be revealed this week with Pernice’s camp confident he will be cleared.
Giovanni Penrice has always denied all of the allegations, claiming to have provided a dossier of evidence to Beeb investigators.
Giovanni is convinced he has presented evidence that proves he is far from the ‘cruel, abusive and mean’ man the Sherlock star Amanda claims he is.
Abbington put the Strictly controversy behind her with a confident performance.
With her dark hair slicked back and wearing a cream blouse, pleated baggy brown trousers and brown Doc Marten-style boots, she remained on stage throughout the intense four-person 90 minute performance.
She played Tara, an American writer, whose chef daughter Esme calls her to say she has been raped in New York.
Her performance comes after the actress is said to be considering fresh legal action against Giovanni Pernice , 33, after he reportedly refused to release their Strictly rehearsal videos
The latest legal development comes after it was revealed the accusations have now widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show
Giovanni faces an even longer wait for an outcome after Amanda, Laura Whitmore (pictured) and Ranvir Singh all came forward to complain about their dance partner
The intense play deals with the traumatic after effects on the whole family.
Abbington smiled broadly as the cast received rapturous applause from the audience at the conclusion,
Her delighted fans praised her performance.
Brontë Henwood, 26, a writer from London, had attended to support Abbington.
Ms Henwood said: ‘The show is an important story to tell. It has been a difficult period for Amanda.
‘I don’t want to speak for her, but in the situation she has found herself in nobody wins.’
Theatre lover Sarah Bezem, 58, also praised Abbington.
She said: It was an excellent performance: very powerful.
‘The play was very intense. I really enjoyed it.’
