What a treat to get to see the Playwright’s’ Theatre season opener, The Pillowman, at LTV on Thursday night.
Wonderfully acted and staged for impact, the grippingly dark tale kept the audience on the edge of their seats. At least until the very end, that is, when the drama ended with a bang AND a standing ovation.
Written by Martin McDonagh, and nominated for a Tony when it debuted on Broadway in 2005, Pillowman is certainly unique. Perhaps the best way to describe it would be kind of a cross between John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, Fritz Lang’s classic thriller M, and Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects.
While the subject matter is definitely difficult, it was interpreted powerfully by cast and crew. Directed by Stephen Hamilton and starring John Kroft, Sawyer Spielberg, Joe Pallister, and Edward Kassar (who also produced the show, in collaboration with LTV’s Creative Director, Josh Gladstone), this production succeeds in keeping the viewer off balance and unsettled until the very end. From the dramatic lighting and sound choices to strong performances by all, it’s impossible to not get caught up in the action.
The interplay between Kroft and Spielberg, as brothers accused of heinous crimes, was particularly riveting. And heartbreaking.
And through their characters, Pallister and Kassar were adept at bringing darkness and light, in equal measures, as the interrogators.
Masterfully written, Pillowman weaves and feints between horror, tragedy and (can we actually say this?) comedy. It’s not often one finds oneself laughing at loud during a disturbing drama, but somehow it happens with frequency during this two-plus hour | two act play.
Days later, the themes still haunt. Is this a Brothers Grimm-type fable? A dystopian despair? Or just maybe it’s a tale of hope, sacrifice and redemption? Hmmm.
Go check it out and see for yourself.
The Pillowman stages through May 5 at LTV in Wainscott. Purchase tickets here: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/ltv-studios/65f652ef2968600e3e661d1c/tickets
— Photo by Phil Merritt.
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