“An Interrogation” uses live-stream cameras to manipulate the audience’s point of view in an innovative exploration of technology versus truth. Following a sell-out run and rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, the award-winning play comes to Hampstead Downstairs. Inspired by real events, this gripping new play from Writer Jamie Armitage, who also directs, is a thrilling debut from the co-director of the worldwide phenomenon SIX: The Musical.
Heralded as Summerhall’s fastest-selling show in eight years at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. “An Interrogation“ is a gripping piece about power, deception and our perspectives of the truth. It is a thrilling and claustrophobic cross-examination of society’s preconceived ideas about the kinds of people who commit crimes. Leaning into relatable societal biases, the production expertly explores how our perspective affects the way we interpret a moment: does someone seem more guilty or nervous when seen from a different angle
The cast will feature Rosie Sheehy (Romeo and Julie-Nominated for Breakthrough Artist, South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2023 at the National Theatre, All’s Well That Ends Well and Richard III-Nominated for the Ian Charleson Awards 2023, RSC; Machinal, The Old Vic/Theatre Royal Bath) as the police officer Ruth Palmer. Jamie Ballard (Macbeth, Nimbus Arts Centre, New York; Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, West End; Show trial, BBC) will play the role of Cameron Andrews, the suspect, whilst Colm Gormley(Othello, War Horse, National Theatre; Titanic, ITV2012; Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s Globe)takes on the part of the senior investigating officer, John Culin
An Interrogation is based on a real interview between Ontario Provincial Police Detective Staff Sergeant James Smith and a seemingly respectable man, Colonel Russell Williams. In the show, a man agrees to a voluntary interview to assist the police’s enquiries into the death of a young woman and the disappearance of another. Inspired by the disturbing real-life case.
Armitage’s play depicts a conversation between detective and suspect which is polite on the surface but soon escalates into an interrogation of power and class. While Cameron Andrews might initially seem the least likely person to be connected to a murder investigation, a different story begins to emerge moment by moment as he is questioned by an ambitious young detective.
Jamie Armitage comments, “One of my first ever assistant directing jobs was at Hampstead Downstairs, so it is very special for me to bring my first play to this beautiful venue. It is such an exciting opportunity to be able to re-explore and expand this story, while taking the production to the next level with exciting new design and technical elements. “An Interrogation” thrilled audiences in Edinburgh, so we hope that London audiences will have the same visceral response to this suspenseful story full of twists, turns and intrigue.“
“An Interrogation” is a collaboration between Tony Award-nominated Armitage and Ellie Keel, who has an impressive track record of producing new shows. Her prestigious slate of acclaimed new plays has included You Bury Me by Ahlam (Bristol Old Vic, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, and Orange Tree Theatre, London), Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me by Amy Trigg (Kiln Theatre and tour),Still No Idea by Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence(Traverse Theatre, Southbank Centre and tour) and FITTER by Mary Higgins and Ell Potter (Soho Theatre).
Ellie Keel comments, “I’m so delighted to be transferring Jamie’s brilliantly powerful and compelling play to the Hampstead Theatre, with a stellar cast and creative team. I know that London audiences are going to love “An Interrogation” as much as Edinburgh audiences did—it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to be at the helm of such a popular and acclaimed play”.
For your chance to see this popular and acclaimed show, “An Interrogation” runs at Hampstead Downstairs from Thursday 16th January–Saturday 22nd February. Tickets and further information can be obtained from the theatre website https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2024/an-interrogation/ . Perhaps sooner rather than later!
Images (c) Steve Gregson
