The Interview

Riverside Studios

You must go into this show with no idea what to expect to get the full experience. You are put into the shoes of the interviewer, and you won't realise till the end. This is what theatre is about!

This show is a reminder that you should not judge a book by its cover. This show is based on the screenplay by Theodor Holmon and the film by Theo Van Gogh; it has been adapted for the stage and directed by Teunkie van der Sluijs. It follows a journalist who usually interviews politicians but has been tasked with interviewing the popular influencer-turned-actress, Katya. As the show goes on, it takes a dark turn and we learn more about the characters' stories... but what is true? It's a short one-act show with just two characters, and the audience is kept on their toes with the interest of wanting to know the real characters. You feel like you know how the show is going to go and that it isn't for you, but it's never what you expect, and that's what makes this play so interesting. It will get you talking, and the quality is insane.

The two roles are played by a pair of intriguing actors. The journalist/interviewer Pierre is played by Robert Sean Leonard, and the socialite actress is played by enchanting Paten Hughes. They have a unique chemistry that's almost unsettling, and it's brilliant. Throughout the piece, it seems like they warm to each other, trust each other, and then they pull metaphoric guns at each other. The audience experiences this same trusting feeling in the pair; they seem like an open book, until it is all turned on its head. They share a short-lived, almost romantic moment that feels uncomfortably wrong, and there is a power struggle between the two. It's a battle of the sexes. Pierre tries to take advantage of Katya's vulnerability, but he falls into her trap over and over again. It's an intriguing character arc because the characters don't necessarily develop; they just lie over and over again. In the end, you understand the characters as much as you did when the play started, not at all. It's incredible how the writer gets this point across, pulls you in, gets you to feel this false sense of understanding and guilt, but then it's all a lie. The actors are great liars, in a good way and give you an unsettling feeling with how the plot unravels.

You are put in the middle of a New York flat, and the set beautifully conveys Katya's web; each area is beautifully designed to create the aesthetic that she wants to convey to her audience. As soon as you see her home, you think that you know her; it's just a space she has created, just like the persona she has created, and there is nothing that even hints at the real her. News reports, text messages, calls, notifications and all things social media are projected onto the set. This has a deeper meaning than showing what the characters are seeing; it presents how the characters are controlled by the media and are bombarded by opinions. At times, the placement of the projection is interesting, as it feels like a reflection of the TV. The social media aspect of the show doesn't feel cringeworthy; it makes complete sense. A great set! A little moment I do admire is when Katya cuts the pizza with scissors, me too girl, ME TOO! We all do it, stop hiding scissor pizza users, let's unite!

As someone who has not heard of this story before, not seen the film or heard anything prior, I think that elevated my experience of the show. I recommend going in with fresh eyes.. she says, writing a review for people to read... It's a really interesting piece of writing, and the actors are great at showing their characters. The power struggle is addictive to watch; you're sucked into Katya's web the moment she enters the stage. I'm enchanted by this play, and I'm impressed at how great the actors weave through their lies and get the audience to trust them over and over again. This is what theatre is all about!