An Interrogation ★★★★ Hampstead Theatre | Jan 16 - Feb 22, 2025


Inside a police interrogation room a skilled, young female investigator plays cat and mouse with a suspected abductor and possible murderer. Is he innocent or guilty? Will she be able to penetrate what appears to be his veneer of civility, or will she be tripped up by his astute reading of both her and his circumstances? The confrontation is instantly intriguing, despite there being a definite echo of The Silence of the Lambs about this remarkably accomplished production. Sarah Mercadé's set is satisfyingly realistic, and it nicely captures the claustrophobic intensity of the situation. The use of video to provide close-ups of the principals' faces and to highlight their handwringing beneath the table works superbly, and each of the three cast members rings completely true. Ruth Palmer is perfect as the faux naïve inspector, Rosie Sheehy, who cunningly attempts to trap her suspect, while Jamie Ballard neatly manages to be both ingenuous and quietly menacing as the suspect, Cameron Andrews. It is a masterly balancing act. Rounding out the trio, John Culin gets it just right as the avuncular, slightly condescending chief. The downside of this narrative is the rather predictable dénouement of the piece and the rather trite psychology of it all. Still, the notion of violence engendered by disempowerment is certainly true, and when it is mirrored in Palmer's gesture at the very end of the play, the theme is neatly tied together. Running just over an hour, An Interrogation is well-staged, full of tension and definitely worth seeing!

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Marc Brenner

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When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Eton Ave, London NW3 3EU, UK

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