Interview at Riverside Studios
This adaptation of Theo van Gogh’s 2003 film, Interview, is reimagined here by Teunkie Van Der Sluijs, who brings the story to the stage within the context of influencer culture, social media obsession and the dismantling of patriarchal structures. We meet Pierre Peters (Robert Sean Leonard), a disillusioned political journalist desperate for a radical story, but instead sent to interview Katya (Paten Hughes), an online influencer and actor, at her Brooklyn apartment. Katya is fed up with being misrepresented and lampooned by male journalists, and Pierre fits the bill, dismissively mocking her before the interview by telling us she probably thinks impeachment is a skincare brand.
Hughes captures Katya’s assertiveness well, immediately correcting Pierre’s definition of her from actress to actor and redirecting the conversation several times. She darts around the apartment – pouring wine, trying on designer accessories and dancing to music, clearly attempting to project a confident, dynamic persona. Despite this energy, the character often feels contrived and somewhat caricatured, with some lines landing with such scripted blatancy that one felt jolted out of the naturalistic setup of the apartment and back into the theatre setting. Katya’s face is frequently projected onto the brick wall at the back of the space through livestream and recorded video clips, but this device feels more like a visual cue rather than a significant commentary on or fresh observation of influencer culture.
Pierre’s dialogue also lacks subtlety, with lines like “reach doesn’t equal worth” sounding more like slogans than a natural flow of thoughts or reflections. His flirtations with Katya come across as awkward and clichéd, also seeming to undermine a personal narrative arc that evolves surrounding redeeming his reputation as a journalist.
Interview does have potential as a compelling commentary on what it means to be a woman in the public eye under constant online and offline scrutiny, particularly at the hands of a predominantly male media. The play scratches the surface of this topic but doesn’t fully explore it, getting distracted by digital additions, overt on-the-nose discourse and unnecessary flirtations between its two characters. A twist towards the end of the play is appreciated, but the closing moments sadly didn’t generate much of an emotional or profound reaction from this writer.
Leonard and Hughes give solid, committed performances, and the set design by Derek McLane is a real highlight – capturing the aesthetics of a classy Brooklyn loft with stylish authenticity.
Chloe Vilarrubi
Photos: Helen Murray
Interview is at Riverside Studios from 23rd August until 27th September 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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