PILLOWMAN Review - Quad City Times

PILLOWMAN Review - Quad City Times
My Verona's `Pillowman' a must-see show

By Ruby Nancy
Quad City Times

Martin McDonagh's 'The Pillowman' is as unsettling as it is unusual, but anyone familiar with his other work -- such as his finely-written, disturbing 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane' -- won't be surprised to find themselves both touched and creeped out by this startlingly funny, often discomfiting play.

Set in a totalitarian state (which, hilariously, is described as such in a line delivered by a police detective), 'Pillowman' centers on the experiences and imagination of a writer named Katurian, whose stories have landed him in a dank, oppressive interrogation room. There's a detective and a cop who are looking for answers in their investigation of a series of child murders, and Katurian's mentally challenged brother is in a holding cell just down the hall, but it is the writer's experience that resonates throughout.

Adam Michael Lewis, who plays Katurian, is absolutely brilliant in the role -- a virtual case study for any budding actor -- and his deeply emotional, fundamentally passionate performance is a stunning work that will burn into the consciousness of every audience member who sees this show. His development over the arc of the play -- from a cowering mass of fear who is willing to cut almost anything from his stories in case it has offended the government in some way, providing that the editing saves his hide -- into an impassioned defender of his work's worth is a thoroughly satisfying dramatic performance. Likewise, Lewis delivers the slivers of wry and sometimes caustic humor that slip out of Katurian with an easy naturalness, and he makes the emotional and intellectual shifts required in this performance with a seamless, spare, earnest elegance that is a thrill to watch.

The show itself is something of a thriller, and I assure you that anyone not already familiar with the story will have no idea what direction the story will take -- a way refreshing change in what can sometimes be a too-predictable genre. Even the sections of script comprised of Katurian's fiction are fascinating, especially as delivered by the multi-faceted Lewis, and director Sean Leary has wisely opted to let the words of the text unfold without a heavy-handed visual style that would have competed with the great work done by the show's star.

The balance of the cast also turns in first-rate portrayals. Chris Browne is droll and understated as Tupolski, the totally dry detective who deadpans lines you can hardly believe he actually said. As Ariel, the uber-aggressive cop charged with beating a confession out of suspects, Tom Walljasper is rough and vicious -- an animalistic force of anger barely contained.

Tristan Layne Tapscott (who also co-produces the show with Leary) gives a subtle performance as Katurian's brother, Michal, and he lends the character a gentle indifference that is wonderfully done. Carrie Clark enlivens several cameo roles and Gary Baker (who is also the show's stage manager, lighting designer and bartender) does great work providing a range of off-stage voices (and not boring ones, either).

Long by modern theater standards -- but with two intermissions -- this is a riveting, often very funny drama that is unlike anything else you will see this year. Though it might not be everyone's cup of tea, it's a must-see for anyone (at least who isn't easily frightened) who craves the chance to experience a new play.

copyright 2006 The Quad City Times