Pillowman- just how scary?

[MrBungee7]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 8:44pm

Just how scary is the Pillowman? I'm going to see it tomorrow, and I'm getting a little bit nervous. Will I be able to handle it? Typically what age group would you say it's inappropriate for?

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:14pm

It's not scary per se, more like disturbing. There's one jump-out-of-your-seat sort of moment in the first act and there are a few violent bits, but mostly it's the things that are discussed that are frightening. It's an engaging and suspenseful play (and surprisingly hilarious), which somehow made me not realize quite how twisted it really was until well into the second act. It's the dramatic equivalent of an R-rated movie. I think you need some maturity to fully appreciate it- it's complicated- but it's hard to pin that down to a specific age.

Let's keep this thread spoiler-free. It's much better to see it not knowing much about the plot.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:25pm

I was worried too but it's not too bad. More unsettling than scary. Just like Liz_Bennet, there's a moment in the first act that made me jump but it's not really horrific. The play is hilarious though, I'll give it that.

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 09:25 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:29pm

I agree with the previous posts. I also went in expecting to have it be totally terrifying. I remember reading posts about people seeing it and worrying that they'd have nightmares or trouble sleeping, etc. I didn't really find that to be the case with The Pillowman. The content was unsettling and disturbing, but not necessarily terrifying. I hope you enjoy it! The performances are wonderful. I'm definitely going to try to see it again in the fall.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:32pm

Someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me a detailed and spolier-filled synopsis of this show. I live clear on the other side of the country and I'm pretty sure I won't be seeing it any time soon. PLEASE?!

[mabel]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:35pm

You can pick the play up on Amazon for $10.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:36pm

That's $10 I don't have. Thanks.

[mabel]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:38pm

Sorry. I'm not particularly up for writing a detailed spoiler-filled review, so that was my lazy attempt to help you out. Maybe there's a review somewhere on the board somewhere that's got spoilers?? Again, I'm too lazy to look it up. Sorry, pal!

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:39pm

It'll show up in regional theaters in a year or two (though there will be five productions of Doubt for every Pillowman) and I heard there may be a tour.

[DoogieB]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:45pm

My 18 year old brother just saw a college (Tufts) production of the show and he claims it was the most disturbing thing he's ever seen. He didn't use the words scary or frightening or anything, I just remember "disturbing".

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:48pm

It was very disturbing, it was about killing little kids for heavens sake. scary? aside from the one jump moment (the equivalent of the end of Psycho) its really not. hilarious? definately. thought provoking? i talked about it for 3 days straight. go see it!

[mabel]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 9:55pm

I'd say it has some hilarious moments but I wouldn't call the play as a whole hilarious. That one line of Goldblum's in Act II was HILARIOUS though!!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 10:10pm

Everything Goldblum said was hilarious....cause it was all deadpan

[Mr. TN]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:22pm

Like all of the other posts I will say that is it more distrubing than scary. It is quite dark and the humor is dark as well. One shocking moment though gave me quite a stir. I was uneasy for the remainder of the performance because I did not know if there would be any more. However I would definitely rate the play R. The language used is quite mature for teenagers. If this was a movie it would be on the lines of 8 Mile in the use of curse words. If you can't stand vulgar language you may want to rethinkn your choice of play. From my viewpoint, the language is a natural part of life and only added to the humor in parts but I can also see where it could be deemed unnecessary from a different standpoint. Telecharge says that it definitely is for 14+. I always wondered why shows were not rated by a ratings board like movies, games, and television. Even now we have TV14 or TV 7 or TV MA but there aren't "official" ratings put on live theatre. I am sure that Pillowman would fit in the Mature Audiences category. While other shows that have a few instances of lanugage or innuendo would be rated Teen or 14+ or something. And of course the G rated stuff as well. Hmm... Just something to think about.

[Becky]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 2:34am

Someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me a detailed and spolier-filled synopsis of this show.

Just thought I'd mention that I just sent one - before anyone else takes the time to type one out....