The Pillowman

It is easy to understand why this script won various awards, as it relates a story that is both intriguing and challenging to the audience. Two detectives  challenge, rather forcefully, a writer, Katurian, whose stories have many similarities to murders that have occurred in the district. We learn that his mentally retarded brother has been involved. It goes from there. Tupolski and Ariel, the police, are determined to find the truth – or rather any truth - before  carrying out their form of justice. This led the audience members to wonder, wish and hope for both a solution and a resolution. It absorbed me all the way.

Director John Boyce has achieved the polished, high standard product that the writer would have hoped would be the case. The set was very functional, with some very clever technical innovations to progress the storytelling.

The tight direction was helped by the very high standard of the acting, particularly the four major roles. Alex Lanham was Tupolski, while Connor Clarke was Ariel, and together they gave the police a rather bad name as they sought their form of justice. William Toft played the writer Katurian and Reagan Warner was the younger brother Michal. The performances of these four gave an excellent example of ensemble acting under very good direction.  Mind you Claire Argente, Oliver Catton and Jordan Boyd, the remaining cast members, maintained the same high standard.

Sometimes you are not amused at the theatre and this was such a case. However, I was so absorbed and mentally involved that I did not notice the time flying by in this three act production.  Well done to everyone involved. Anyone, in fact everyone, would be happy to have seen this “different” play and this very good production. Very  good indeed. I very highly recommend it to everyone.

William Davies