The Pillowman

Synopsis

Black comedy. A writer in a totalitarian state is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of child-murders that are happening in his town. Please note: this play contains scenes and language that may offend and is not suitable for children.

Our Review:

14 November 2003

Once upon a time, there was an enfant terrible of British theatre who wrote a new play. The play's publicity material contained a warning, describing it as "viciously funny" and "seriously disturbing", while advance buzz - reaching a feverish pitch despite the enigmatic author's ban on interviews - had it that this one was not just seriously disturbing but much more disturbing than all of his previous seriously disturbing pieces put together. The world premiere was cast with top calibre actors, including an Oscar-winning favourite returning to the stage after a nine-year absence, and the majority of the limited season sold out before a single critic had a peek. This was a major theatrical event to be sure. But could the play really live up to such hype?

Short answer: yes.

With The Pillowman, Martin McDonagh may have ventured dramatically for the first time outside of Ireland - where his controversial hits to date have all been set - but any ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (128.40.79.243) - 22 March 2004:

Not much more to add really. Brilliant....

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