Favorite McDonagh Play?

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 3:59pm

Martin McDonagh has a pretty great body of work, which makes me extremely excited for A Behanding In Spokane. What is your favorite play written by him?

I'd probably have to go with The Lieutenant of Inishmore, although it's extremely hard to choose. What do you think?

[devonian.t]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 4:14pm

The Pillowman, no question.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 4:15pm

I know you said play, and this isn't a play, but I really loved the film In Bruges.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 4:47pm

In Bruges is brilliant, it's a phenomenal film. As for The Pillowman, I have to agree that it's one of his strongest works.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:05pm

The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Hands down.

[Weez]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:06pm

Absolutely The Pillowman. I'd really like to see an illustrated book of the Pillowman story done by Shaun Tan or Dave McKean. It's a great play; just as much fun to read as to watch, and disturbing on just about every level.

[musikman]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:14pm

I haven't seen all of his plays, but The Pillowman remains one of my favorite theater-going experiences ever.

[tellybox]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:20pm

The Cripple of Inishmaan.

Although I haven't read The Pillowman yet so that may change.

[Patash]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:28pm

I think I'd vote for The Lieutenant of Inishmore. Funny thing about The Pillowman. I LOVED the Broadway production -- so cleverly staged, but the play itself I found not nearly as strong.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:41pm

Has anyone read The Lonesome West? That's the latest one I read. It's hilarious, and as usual, a great play.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 5:52pm

I've read all his published work- but have never got to see any of his works on Broadway. Luckily that changes on the 15th when I go to see Behanding.

My favorite work of his is probably Pillowman, followed closely by Inishmore. Reading that is the only time I ever laughed at a prop list. "Dead black cat, live black cat, ginger cat, dead ginger cat, dismembered corpses".

[Sauja]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 8:15pm

They're all good (well...I don't love The Lonesome West), but I'd probably have to choose the first one I ever saw: The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Which also had one of the most flawless casts I've ever seen.

Can't wait for Behanding!

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 2/9/10 at 8:17am

Out of curiosity Sauja, why don't you like The Lonesome West?

[Roscoe]

Posted: 2/9/10 at 10:58am

McDonagh is my favorite current playwright. I'd have to choose THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, my choice for best play of this decade -- I loved every single blood-soaked minute.

I'd seen BEAUTY QUEEN and liked it a great deal, even if he did have to spell out one major point that was perfectly clear to any sentient audience member. Enjoyed CRIPPLE OF INISHMAN, too. I'll never forgive myself for missing PILLOWMAN.

And IN BRUGES was a wonderful film, terribly underrated. I always think of McDonagh as being what I'd hoped Tarantino would grow up to be.

[Upland]

Posted: 2/9/10 at 7:36pm

Beauty Queen. Although I also loved In Bruges.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 2/9/10 at 8:24pm

Roscoe, he's my favorite as well, and I am shocked as **** that I wholeheartedly agree with you on something.

[gcontini2]

Posted: 2/10/10 at 11:55am

agree that IN BRUGES is probably is most ambitious, but less loaded with ideology and symbolism than his plays, of which LIEUTENANT is my favorite

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/10/10 at 12:13pm

I loved Beauty Queen, but it did hit a little too close to home. I'd say Pillowman is my fave. I was riveted by the Broadway cast and staging.

[morosco]

Posted: 2/10/10 at 12:35pm

Why hasn't Hollywood made any of these into films?

[Roscoe]

Posted: 2/10/10 at 3:12pm

McDonagh's Oscar-winning short film SIX SHOOTER is also well worth a look. It can be downloaded on itunes, or even probably found on youtube.

I only thank God that Hollywood hasn't made films of these plays. I'm hoping that only McDonagh films them, if he so chooses. A McDonagh-directed film of LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, with maybe Colin Farrell as Padraic, would be something. I'd be there opening day, that's for damn sure.

[hairspraydude1962]

Posted: 2/10/10 at 3:52pm

The Pillowman is my personal favorite; however, The Cripple of Inishmaan is flat-out hilarious.
Updated On: 11/19/10 at 03:52 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 2/10/10 at 4:09pm

"McDonagh's Oscar-winning short film SIX SHOOTER is also well worth a look. It can be downloaded on itunes, or even probably found on youtube. "

Six Shooter is the only work by McDonagh that I've encountered that I did not like, which really surprised me.

In Bruges is fantastic- easily the best screenplay of that year, and Colin Farrell's best performance, and an extremely impressive feature-length directorial debut from McDonagh.