The Pillowman

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Ektelo Theatre Group’s The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh and directed Brian Allman, running through April 14.
Kimberly Demarse and Steven R. O'Brien. Photography by Brian Allmann.

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Ektelo Theatre Group’s The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh  and directed Brian Allman, running through April 14.

I had not seen The Pillowman before, although I am very familiar with the brilliant Martin McDonagh and his films and also that he began his career in the theatre and still dabbles. Because of this I was prepared for the play to be wonderfully written and packed full of fascinating artfully drawn characters, but I now fully understand why this incredible play was awarded the 2004 Olivier Award for Best New Play, the 2004-5 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Foreign Play, and two Tony Awards. 

It is utterly, painfully and unforgettably brilliant.

The Pillowman is, in summary, a story about a storyteller. It revolves around Katurian, a writer of short stories and his sister, Michal, who was originally written to be a brother, Michael.

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Ektelo Theatre Group’s The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh and directed Brian Allman, running through April 14.
L-R (seated) Steven R. O’Brien and Daniel McCann and Paul Ian Stanley (standing). Photography by Brian Allmann.

The play opens in the police interview room of some dark European police state. At first, Katurian has no idea why he has been arrested…or does he? The two comically typical policemen, Tupolski and Ariel play their chilling roles to perfection, teasing out information from Katurian that could have been wrenched from him had they chosen to do so. But the teasing plays far better into the literary hands of the central character, as well as the actual writer of this play. So the story goes, in recent weeks, several children have been found murdered and the strange and twisted manner of their deaths bears an ominous similarity to some of Katurian’s stories. 

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Ektelo Theatre Group’s The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh and directed Brian Allman, running through April 14.
Daniel McCann and Steven R. O’Brien. Photography by Brian Allmann.

As the grim and fascinating tale unfolds, it becomes more and more apparent that these murders and Katurian are linked, whether he is willing to face that or not. The policemen are typically flawed, and yet their ineptitude is not comical, it is merely a ruse for us unsuspecting witnesses, a camouflage for their already completed work. A wicked and sickening torture for Katurian as he understands his already decided fate.  We are in the room with all of them. Every room, for there are many more than just the police station interview room as the play continues and expands through memory and reenactment. Katurian takes us on a journey through the stories he has written and his own unique sad and horrific story. With strangely manipulated video and sound we see every part of why he is who he is and why he must keep his sister safe. The Pillowman is tragic and full of torment and not necessarily for the faint of heart. But it is also beautiful, in a brutal heartbreaking way. Under everything, there is deep deep love you see. And a need to be seen and remembered, but never really a need to be understood…which is so interesting, isn’t it? But that’s the genius of Martin McDonagh. 

This cast is phenomenal. Every single one of them. The first act is really the first two acts, and that’s a lot. But it has to be this way. To give these brilliant actors time to find their way through the story. Michal, the sister, who is so damaged by her childhood that her mind has become untethered, was written as a brother. But I loved the gender swap, it’s more powerful I think. And when you see the play you will understand why. 

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Ektelo Theatre Group’s The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh and directed Brian Allman, running through April 14.
Kimberly Demarse. Photography by Brian Allmann.

Kimberly Demarse who plays Michal is so incredibly good. Stunningly so in fact. I held my breath through much of this, so much so that I felt a little lightheaded. But that is what happens when theatre turns the air electric making the mind whirr and the heart stop.

The Pillowman by the Ektelo Theatre Group is an utter triumph. There is no possible way with my limited vocabulary for me to find the words to tell you just how wonderful this production is. The actors pass far beyond the point of performance, they become these weird and compelling people lost in this harsh, bleak world. 

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Ektelo Theatre Group’s The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh and directed Brian Allman, running through April 14.
Steven R. O’Brien and Kimberly Demarse. Photography by Brian Allmann.

The Pillowman is absolutely beyond brilliant…it’s still with me days later. I highly recommend it! Bravo!

Where: 

The Broadwater Main Stage

1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Tickets: 

https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=6426

When:

April 4-14. Thursday, Friday Saturday @8pm, Sunday @3pm.