The play 'Interview,' staged at Riverside Studios and directed by Teunkie Van Der Sluijs, is a tense, multi-layered adaptation that delves into themes of identity, perception, and celebrity through a real-time conversation between influencer-turned-actor Katya and political journalist Pierre.

Set in Katya's New York apartment, the play explores how public personas often differ sharply from private selves, emphasizing the superficiality and manipulation inherent in social media fame.

While the production excels visually with projections and multimedia elements that underscore digital themes, it occasionally struggles with character development and emotional depth, which can make some scenes feel overly calculated.

The play highlights the pervasive influence of video technology and social media, critiquing the superficiality and manipulative nature of digital fame and media representation.

Performances by Paten Hughes as Katya and Robert Sean Leonard as Pierre are praised for their energy and chemistry, with Hughes capturing her character's frenetic, performative nature and Leonard adding depth to Pierre's moments of frustration.

Initially dismissive and rude, Pierre's attitude shifts as the play reveals deeper motives, including references to contemporary conflicts like Ukraine and Russian influence, adding political layers to the narrative.

Overall, 'Interview' offers sharp commentary on fame and identity, with engaging twists and visual flair, though it sometimes lacks consistent thematic focus, making it resonate particularly with fans of modern media themes.

The play raises provocative questions about authenticity, deception, and the blurred lines between reality and social media portrayals, warning audiences against taking online representations at face value.

Portrayed as fiercely intelligent and tired of being underestimated, Katya uses manipulation and cunning to navigate her interactions, challenging traditional gender and power dynamics.

The story, adapted from the 2003 film by Theo van Gogh, reflects on how celebrity culture has evolved with social media, incorporating multimedia elements like news clips and live streams to emphasize digital influence.

The production runs from August 23 to September 27, 2025, at Riverside Studios, featuring a cast that includes understudies and a range of technical contributions to enhance the multimedia-heavy staging.

The contemporary set design, emphasizing social media and news visuals, underscores the blending of digital culture with personal and political narratives, making the play highly relevant to today's audience.