The Pillowman: A Play
by Martin McDonagh
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I just re-read this, in preparation for teaching it, and--damn--it's good. I first read the play upon its initial run in England, and yet I find now--with the subsequent foreground of torture into our political discussions--the play engages on even more cylinders.
A key thing--to toss to Gio?--is that McDonagh, here and in most of his work, resists or confounds identification. The poles of this play's conflict are between totalitarian interrogators and a writer of repugnant, vicious materia...more
A key thing--to toss to Gio?--is that McDonagh, here and in most of his work, resists or confounds identification. The poles of this play's conflict are between totalitarian interrogators and a writer of repugnant, vicious materia...more
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7 comments
Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
I'm glad to see so many people appreciate this play. It's the only truly amazing work I read in 2007. The whole time I was reading it, I just didn't know whether to laugh or cry. (I don't agree with the person who said there is no humor; there is humor, it's just very very dark humor.) I love what it has to say about storytelling and writing and of course, the tension between brothers.
My professor taught this play (to a class I was not in) shortly after the Virginia Tech shootings. It w...more
My professor taught this play (to a class I was not in) shortly after the Virginia Tech shootings. It w...more
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this was a good play, a very talking heads ordeal which makes for some very interesting characters and the stories within the story (especially the one which gives this play its title) are very well conceived.
not sure about the ending. perhaps it's just the "reading the play" instead of "seeing the play", but the stakes didn't seem as high as the outcome provoked (he says, without giving anything away)
not sure about the ending. perhaps it's just the "reading the play" instead of "seeing the play", but the stakes didn't seem as high as the outcome provoked (he says, without giving anything away)
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Read in September, 2006
recommends it for:
Everyone
So good I had to direct it. A brilliant play set in a totalitarian state: An author who writes disturbing short stories about kids who die horrible deaths is arrested and isn't told why. He's interrogated by two aggressive, suspicious detectives. They've also brought his mentally challenged brother in for questioning. But nothing is what it seems…
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Again, I saw this play in 2005 in New York and then read it. It's very dark--I couldn't stop thinking about it for days, but only at night as I was trying to sleep. The play is very much about storytelling, and the responsibilities of the storyteller and memory and childhood and... gah! It's terrifying and firing on multiple cylinders.
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I cannot remember the last time I was shocked while reading something. "The Pillowman" is a magnificent accomplishment -- compelling, stageworthy, funny, dark, horrific, and absolutely shocking. I'm still agog (my mouth open like a cod) thinking about the climax and denouement of this amazing play.
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Incredibly disturbing, but even more enrapturing. It's about a man who's arrested because there have been a series of murders that bear enormous similarity with stories he's written. Don't worry, it's not at all on the "art imitates life/life imitates art" debate. It's more about storytelling.
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Read in January, 2005
i haven't read many plays (not counting shakespeare), but i will say that this one was absolutely stunning. the story is creative and baffling. it was thought provoking and emotion evoking. i cried, screamed, laughed (although not often...).
read it.
now, i really want to see it.
read it.
now, i really want to see it.
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Read in March, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone who enjoys great story telling
first play i've ever read that made me scared to turn the page.
a man is being interrogated for the murder of several children based on similarities between his stories and how the children were tortured and killed. his Lenny-like brother is also involved. chilling.
a man is being interrogated for the murder of several children based on similarities between his stories and how the children were tortured and killed. his Lenny-like brother is also involved. chilling.
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Read in March, 2008
A terrific play. Martin McDonagh masters the use of metaphors in telling this deep dark tale of a writer being interrogated in a totalitarian state. The dialogue is profound, terrorizing and soul searching. The impact is well conceived.
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Read in December, 2007
I picked this up and immediately read it again as soon as I finished, which pretty much says everything. I haven't been this affected by a play since I reread Lear after my daughter was born.
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Read in January, 2007
Saw the play, helped stage it and then went on to read it. Gruesome and ugly, and yet reinforces my belief that even in the worst of situations humane nature bears a dignity that conquers all...
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Read in May, 2006
recommends it for:
not the faint of heart
the best play written in english in at least ten years. intensely original and ballsy as hell. the kind of play that you reread immediately because you just can't believe your mind.
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Read in April, 2007
Fantastic play. But very dark, definitely not for kids or people who prefer musicals. Very very dark.
Reminds me a bit of some of Orson Scott Card's short stories, in fact.
Reminds me a bit of some of Orson Scott Card's short stories, in fact.
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Read in January, 2007
A. This playwright is great.
B. This play is excellent. It will leave you needing to see the therapist.
C. If you are going to read a play (most of you won't) read this one.
B. This play is excellent. It will leave you needing to see the therapist.
C. If you are going to read a play (most of you won't) read this one.
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Read in May, 2007
The play is dark and disturbing, but since 'twisted' is funny to me, I really enjoyed this one. It's actually one of my favorite plays, and it's fantastic to see performed.
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beautiful, dark, mind-shifting, scary, threatening story about how we create the world, what inspires us to tell stories and the slippery nature of reality.
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This play is seriously demented. It makes Christopher Durang's works look like Sesame Street. I recommend it for elementary school plays.
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This a play by a contemporary english writer. Cynical and very disturbing yet beautifully written. Highly recommended! A quick read.
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Read in November, 2005
recommends it for:
people who like dark comedy or disturbing things
McDonagh is a genius. A brilliant play about storytelling, and the responsibility of the storyteller. Disturbing, funny, and creepy.
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