The Pillowman
Is it parental abuse, an artistic experiment or just a bad nightmare? In any event THE PILLOWMAN is a macabre reflection on the artist, what he does and why he bothers to do it. Here, as in Kafka’s THE TRIAL, a young man is arrested without cause or explanation. But in Martin McDonagh’s new play, this young man, Katurian K. Katurian discovers that his short stories about murdering children are actually taking place.
"I was a good writer. That was all I ever wanted to be." he insists until the very end. But therein lies a bizarre twist in which the family tortures he revisits come to life. Director John Crowley, stages these episodes from Katurian’s life and fiction, on a balcony above the stage. Played like Victorian melodramas, they are rendered with sheer cruelty, just part of the tragic circus in this black comedy.
Not incidentally, Katurian’s best short story, is about the titular PILLOWMAN, who with the use of fluffy pillows, helps children accept an horrific death rather than allow them to lead unhappy lives. What happens here, of course, is about those who refuse the PILLOWMAN’s offer.
As story teller, Billy Crudup sustains a daunting task, carrying most of this wordy drama that often verges on monologue. As his sadistic interrogator, Jeff Goldblum is so facetious and cutting that his interruptions cause our outburst of laughter. His sinister rejoinders, delivered with matter-of-fact aplomb, are the show’s highlight. As his brutal sidekick Zeljko Ivanek is another victimizing victim, acting with egotism and self defense, who, when pushed too far emerges with the kind of moral fiber that the others can hardly challenge. Last, but not least, Michael Sthulbarg plays Katurian’s idiot brother with a savant-like sense for taking fiction literally.
Unfortunately, in its evocation of terror, PILLOWMAN, is a one note play. But what’s both engaging and ambiguous is the irony of this young man whose good intentions lead to such a terrible end. To quote the author, Katurian, that it is, "with no ax to grind, no social whatever", this is what he’s wrought.
That’s This Week on Broadway. I’m Isa Goldberg.
