rOcKS' review of THE PILLOWMAN text

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 9:04pm

Having not seen what I heard many call "the best theater-going event of 2005", the first Broadway staging of Martin McDonagh's THE PILLOWMAN, I decided to go out and buy the text. I read it all in two hours and let me just say, I couldn't be more sorrowful that I didn't see this show during its run. Based on the material alone, the show deserved a much longer run that it had. The text is simply brilliant, nearly neck and neck with DOUBT as the two best plays of the 21st Century so far. THE PILLOWMAN, however, has, in my mind, obtained the title of Best Play of the 21st Century by a hair. It is absorbing in the most shocking and perverse ways, and when I say I couldn't put it down, I literally mean I could NOT put it down. It is so original, so dark, so surprising, and so perfect that I honestly enjoyed it more than some of the classics I've read (WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS etc). It is such a tightly wrought, brilliant piece of art that must be read by all theater-goers one time in their life at least (I plan on reading it again over the summer.) McDonagh has created a vivid, dark, funny, frightening, raw, and masterful play that is original in every sense of the word. The show is about a writer named Katurian who writes short stories with dark, disturbing deaths of children involved. When the deaths of these fictional children become real and are played out in the totalitarian state in which he lives, he is interrogated on the basis of whether or not these murders are some bizzare coincidence or if they were performed by Katurian himself. The show has so many incredible, unbelievable, stupifying plot twists but it doesn't use them in a way to have the audience stay with the story. The story is so amazingly well-drawn out and written that these twists just make the audience all the MORE invested in the story. The twists didn't even need to be used (although they are brilliantly), as the reader/viewer will NOT lose attention during the show. It is a brilliant piece of work that I highly, highly recommend. Go out and buy THE PILLOWMAN and read it, it will stay with you for a long time to come.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 9:09pm

It has some brilliant one-liners. "My father was an alcoholic, but am I one?....Yes I am."

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 9:41pm

You hit the nail on the head

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 9:50pm

That play was one of the best experiences I've ever had in a theatre, and to this day is my favorite show ever. I re-read it a few weeks ago and still laughed at it. It's just...so perfect.

[gustof777]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 10:07pm

ahhh yay!! It was my first play ever on Broadway and by far one of THE most poweful nights and one that showed me that straight drama can be just as powerful if not more so than musical theater. It was an amazing production with one of the best casts you could assemble. Billy Crudup's perfromance still stays with me and will be one I don't soon forget. The scene with his brother (Michael Stuhlbarg) was by far the best live acting I have seen (I live in Wisconsin and this was first NY play...but still) The way that it just was this HUGE emotional roller coaster. I laughed and two seconds later was crying. It literally kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire show and i didn't want it to end. I was so blown away by the end that I could barely move and I know I 've gone on about this before but it really was my first "Big moving" experience in the theater. Amazing stuff...and yeah reading it was also a huge thrill.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 10:26pm

Love it.

I didn't see it, but I read it and was amazed.

I just saw Inishmore, it's different but still really really great.

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 10:33pm

Updated On: 6/5/06 at 10:33 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 10:35pm

THE PILLOWMAN, however, has, in my mind, obtained the title of Best Play of the 21st Century by a hair

Uhhhh, honey, there a few years to go until the next century, mind waiting until then? (Assuming you have really good health to see the new century...)

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 8:15pm

It's so great to see this play getting the love it should! I couldn't say how upset I was when it lost out to "Doubt", which I found to be interesting, but when compared to Pillowman, was a speck of dust in a strong wind. Although some may call the subject matter perverse, they are not looking beyond and seeing some of the more optimistic and hopeful messages of the play. Black comedy has never been this fun- and yes, the one-liners are subtle, and amazing. Extended jokes also add pleasure. One of my favorites-
Tupolski: Middle initial
Katurian: K.
Tupolki: Your name is Katurian Katurian Katurian?
Katurian: My parents were funny people.
Tupolski: mmm. For funny I guess read stupid f****** idiots

This was the best play I have ever had the pleasure to witness in theatre, and I hope that someday Broadway will give it the awards and respect it deserves.

Updated On: 7/30/06 at 08:15 PM

[cturtle]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 8:59pm

"wickedrocks knew when he said pillowman was the play of the century ... it was only 2006."

chorus: "and there were 94 years to go!"

(sorry, couldn't resist.)

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 10:02pm

lol- It fits perfectly this year!

[C is for Company]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 1:03am

Hah, *Now its the PLAY OF THE CENTURY, PLAY OF THE CENTURY! Giving the world a thrill!*

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 1:12am

Can someone direct me to a full plot synopsis/outline?

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 1:16am

http://www.dramatists.com/

search for the Pillowman

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 12:57pm

*Murder, Maime! And an underated name!*

*Michals killed, but his brother is thrilled! And now he's the guy on the swing! wheeee!*

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 2:07pm

For anyone that is interested The Pillowman will be playing at the Wilma theater in Philadelphia from 10/4 - 11/5. I believe single tickets go on sale this week.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 2:21pm

^ Can't wait! I plan on going on my Birthday

[WickedMuzzy422]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 10:10am

I recently just read the text. I agree with your review. It was just amazing. and I only wish I could've gotten to see it on stage.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 10:22am

Glad that you enjoyed it. It's a very well written play and a theatrical experience I'll never forget.

Though I enjoyed his newest work, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, I enjoyed Pillowman more.

[WickedMuzzy422]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 11:12am

Is Inishmore in print? I'd like to read the play before i go see it if that's possible.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 11:53am

Yes, INISHMORE is in print.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 4:15pm

Thanks, gustof, but I'm looking for a more in-depth, gives-away-all-the-spoilers-and-plot sort of description, much like this Wicked synopsis.

http://mercy_bell.tripod.com/wickedsynopsis.html

Anyone?

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 4:52pm

I don't mean to sound rude at all but I would just read the play. It's very much worth the $6.50 and it's so much more enjoyable to read because of the plot twists and what not than to have them given away in a synopsis just my opinion.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 4:57pm

No, no rudeness at all. I've been looking all over for the play and can't seem to find it. I know I can just order it online, but I never order things online. It's just something I do. So alas, I'll keep looking. Thanks, though! :)

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 5:03pm

it should be at Barnes and Nobles or Borders...it's an organge cover. It's a little more expensive but still very much worth it