The Pillowman 7/2 (Mild Spoilers!)

[downbeat]

Posted: 7/3/05 at 1:29am

Did student rush for this show at today's matinee. Another glowing review for me!

I've seen a LOT of theater and being a musician myself it's hard to sell me on a straight play. This one was FANTASTIC. The black comedy worked on every level, and the staging and lighting were particularly impressive.

But what really stood out was the writing - I will be checking out much more of Martin McDonagh at the earliest opportunity.

This was by all means a disturbing show, on many levels. There was a lot of gasping and uncomfortable seat shifting going on around me. But that just shows how much it really WORKED. I don't scare or shock easily I did find myself disturbed at some points. The setting - a strange totalitarian government (never fully explained, thankfully) where the police control everything from trials to newspapers - added to the mistique and disturbiness of the work.

All the performances were top notch, especially Crudup, Goldman, and especially Zeljko Ivanek who brought me to tears with his own story and his parting words to Katurian.

Another note - I've read a few reviews of this show that say the character of Michael is offensive and pokes fun at mentally handicapped or retarted individuals. I've worked with mentally handicapped students myself as part of a music therapy program I volunteer for, and my mother is a full-time aide in a mentally handicapped preschool, so I'm very sensitive to this issue, but I really didn't see that AT ALL with this show. There were jokes at Michael's expense, but at the same time the compassion and love Katurian shows for his brother (especially his final line to him at the end of Act 1) and Michael's own self awareness really showed through.

Stage door was good, the cast (all except Crudup, sadly) came out and signed but most hurried back in to a cast barbeque being held in the loading dock! Goldblum stayed outside for a solid 30 minutes though, signing everything from hats to Spamalot Playbills and posing for pictures with whoever wanted them. Is it just me or has he been acting majorly bizarre lately. I noticed on the Tony awards he was acting a bit strange and in person I got the same vibe. Some kind of ackward "creepy" smiles in pictures, especially. Still a WAY cool guy though.

Thanks for reading!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/3/05 at 1:39am

Great review.

I want to see this so badly.

Goldblum was strange on Conan.....very weird.

[Becky]

Posted: 7/3/05 at 3:41am

I saw the play for the first time this week, and like you, it's sometimes hard to sell me on a straight play. Having said that? This one was brilliant. I agree with your thoughts on Michal's character - I didn't find the writing to be offensive to his "condition" in any way. In fact, I found the writing (throughout the entire play) to be very clever and effective. I pretty much echo everything you said - and the first chance I get I'll be running back to the city to revisit this show. It's been days and I still can't get it out of my head.

I don't know if you've read the script - but if not? I highly recommend it. I saw the show Wed (matinee)...ordered the script off Amazon Thurs...it arrived today...and I read it in one sitting. I had a few different thoughts after *reading* it....

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/3/05 at 4:33am

I saw the National Theatre production in London and am seeing it in NYC on 7/14! Can't wait to compare.

This has to be one of the most thought-provoking plays ever written.

I wonder how it would work as a movie?

[Teeny Todd]

Posted: 7/3/05 at 11:10am

I saw the play in London and on Broadway and it remains one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had in theatre. Martin McDonagh is a truly amazing and original playwright, you should pick up his other work. Especially good are "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" and "A Skull in Connemara." "The Cripple of Inishmaan" is pretty damn good too.