THE PILLOWMAN - REVIEW - DUKE OF YORK'S THEATRE

After its run at the National Theatre in 2003 (which starred David Tennant), The Pillowman returns to the more intimate Duke of York’s theatre, with an all-star cast featuring Lily Allen (playing Katurian) and Steve Pemberton (Playing Tupolski). Matthew Dunster directs the first major revival of Martin McDonagh’s Olivier award-winning black comedy which features endless twists and turns, The Pillowman leans on the power of persuasion and the longing for hope.

Upon entering the space, the stage is flooded in darkness with a flickering light illuminating a closed area in small intermissions. This soon is revealed to be the set of an office space where we are introduced to a writer, Katurian, being interrogated. The reason for this is not immediately apparent, perhaps due to her books having an unknown political connection or with many of her stories focused on the torture and murder of children, perhaps they are unliked. Although writing is Katurian life work, having compiled 400 stories, only one of these has been published. Yet some of the stories have uncanny connections with recent crimes… is this life imitating art or is there a deeper, more disturbing truth?

Sound (designed by Ian Dickinson) and lighting (designed by Neil Austin) is used to create a very naturalistic setting and is added in a minimal and cliche sense. As this is a play which emphasises imagination, the production could have used more of these elements; however, the emphasis seemed very centred on the ‘wow factor’ of the set. This being said, the design by Anna Fleischle is impressive and takes into account the space of the venue, it felt as though some of the transitions should be impossible! The use of projections (designed by Dick Straker) at the beginning of Act 2 takes the audience straight into the realm of imagination and how this intertwines with the realities of the characters’ lives, and transpires the struggles of individuals that shaped their current choices.

McDonagh’s writing ironically leaves nothing to the imagination with so much depth and emphasis by using repetition, which begins to feel mechanical in support of comedic value. The script consists of long chunks of dialogue, which retells stories that are easy to follow; but Allen lacks nuance in her narration, although she is well supported by the visually compelling set. Undeniably, the text is well written and it is no surprise that this is regarded as one of the greatest plays in recent years, yet I feel the importance of delivery is highlighted in this current production.

Although Allen performs with confidence and clear dialect, the sense of emotion is not convincing enough to allow for any emotional connection. Pemberton brings humour to the play with great timing and Tupolski’s telling of a story which he wrote that he feels is better than any of Katurian’s is engaging, displaying his acting ability well. Paul Kaye playing Ariel has the best arc and evokes an interesting feeling of sudden sympathy for someone that appears so sadistic, with a keen use of torture methods to get the answers he needs.

For a show based so heavily on imagination, this retelling lacks the emotional impact it could have achieved.

The Pillowman is on at the Duke of York’s Theatre until September 2nd – tickets and info here!

{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}

INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES
by Ellie Preston
Ellie chats to Lucie Jones ahead of her solo concerts at Cadogan Hall this May. Firstly, how are you feeling ahead of your solo concerts at Cadogan Hall this May? I am so excited for these gigs! It feels like I haven’t done a solo show for ages and I have loved choosing my set list and getting creative with it. It’s so fun, building a set around your favourite songs. How did you choose the line up of songs for this concert? I have a very long playlist of songs that I would love to sing at some point, … More INTERVIEW – LUCIE JONES
TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) – REVIEW – CRITERION THEATRE
by Jordan Hayter
What happens when two strangers, both lacking something in life, carry a cake across New York? If this production is anything to go by, there is one simple answer – MAGIC! This gorgeous production, originally performed at the Kiln Theatre last December, places the audience in the heart of New York, ‘the city of dreams’. It follows the chaotic 48 hours of Robin and Dougal, two strangers whose stories are connected by a wedding, as they do various tasks for the bride. The story, written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, is exquisitely done, both parodying and celebrating romantic comedies and films set … More TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) – REVIEW – CRITERION THEATRE
INTERVIEW – JAMES PHOON FROM ‘UNDERDOG: THE OTHER OTHER BRONTË’ AND ‘BRIDGERTON’
by Ellie Preston
Ellie chats to James Phoon, starring in Underdog: The Other Other Brontë, also soon to be appearing in Bridgerton Season Three. Firstly, how have you found working with the cast of Underdog: The Other Other Brontë? They’re a great bunch! I think we all feel really blessed with Sarah Gordon’s brilliant script and to be working somewhere as iconic as the National Theatre! Also, I was watching Gemma Whelan in Game of Thrones when I was in drama school, so to now be playing her brother is a pretty fun turn of events! You play Branwell, the only son of the Brontë family. How … More INTERVIEW – JAMES PHOON FROM ‘UNDERDOG: THE OTHER OTHER BRONTË’ AND ‘BRIDGERTON’
IS THIS THING ON? – REVIEW – CONTACT THEATRE MANCHESTER
by Jennifer Roberts
Is This Thing On? is a devised two-hander play from newcomers MissMatch, collaborating with So La Productions for their debut show at the Contact Theatre before touring the North West. Mary (Ellie Campbell) and Liz (Megan Keaveny) are flatmates and best friends grappling with the complexities of artistic expression and personal integrity. Mary, a poet, and Liz, a musician, banter over buying toilet paper and overhearing each other having sex, but the story quickly dives into a nuanced debate on ownership, authenticity, and storytelling’s role in challenging societal norms. The play blends music, spoken word poetry and traditional storytelling together … More IS THIS THING ON? – REVIEW – CONTACT THEATRE MANCHESTER
1 TENT, 4 GIRLS – REVIEW – NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE STUDIO
by Phoebe Louise
Talkers & Doers’s 1 Tent, 4 Girls is a show that I hoped to catch at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, so I was excited to have the opportunity to watch the show during its short run at the New Wimbledon Theatre Studio. Co-directed and co-written by Amber Charlie Conroy and Rosalie Roger-Lacan, this is a light-hearted, comical, and quirky story of four girls facing the great outdoors on a camping trip to Wales. The show navigates the ever-changing politics of a girl’s group heightened in this tense environment. The group consists of Sam (Ciara Hughes), Rosa (Alice Bebber), and … More 1 TENT, 4 GIRLS – REVIEW – NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE STUDIO