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Entertainment
Jun 08, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Are You Watching? Review – A Fury‑Filled Interrogation of the Web’s Dark Side

AI Summary
Georgie Dettmer’s new play *Are You Watching?* forces audiences to confront the brutal realities of sex, violence and AI‑driven deepfakes on the internet. Staged at the Royal Court until 4 July, the production’s raw, fragmented structure has sparked both praise for its honesty and criticism for its relentless intensity.

Georgie Dettmer’s latest stage work, Are You Watching?, is a relentless, fury‑filled interrogation of how we consume sex and violence online, amplified by the rise of AI‑generated deepfakes. The Royal Court’s production, directed by Jess Edwards, runs until 4 July and has already ignited a heated conversation about digital voyeurism and moral responsibility.

The Play’s Unflinching Confrontation of Online Violence

  • Two teenage characters, Kosar Ali and Abby McCann, anchor the narrative on a bunk‑bed, reacting to a barrage of staged internet horrors.
  • Scenes jump rapidly, mimicking the scroll‑through experience of a phone screen.
  • Cast members including Lucy McCormick and Maimuna Memon embody victims, perpetrators and AI agents, blurring the line between reality and simulation.

Critical Reception and Audience Impact

The Guardian’s review praises the play’s “clean concept and efficiently brutal attack” while noting that its fragmented structure can stall momentum. The inclusion of a real‑world case involving Gisèle Pelicot grounds the abstract horror in tangible tragedy, heightening audience discomfort and prompting self‑reflection about complicity in digital exploitation.

Run Schedule and Box‑Office Outlook

  • Current run: Royal Court, London until 4 July.
  • Ticket demand has been strong among theatre‑goers interested in contemporary social issues, though the intense subject matter limits repeat attendance.
  • No official box‑office figures released, but early sell‑outs suggest a modest commercial success for a niche, issue‑driven production.

Future of Theatre Tackling Digital Abuse

Dettmer’s work signals a growing willingness among playwrights to embed AI‑generated media and internet‑culture tropes into live performance. As audiences become more aware of deepfake technology and online exploitation, theatre may increasingly serve as a critical forum for confronting these anxieties, potentially influencing policy debates around digital consent and platform responsibility.