This stage play contains themes that may be deemed sensitive to some, frowned upon by many and yet is a sad reality in our days. It generally explores how our experiences in the past and present can shape our actions. The result of our experiences is essentially who we are as individuals, as our life experiences, both positive and negative, shape our beliefs, values, perspectives, and overall outlook on life, significantly influencing how we interact with the world and make decisions. This reality makes a play like The Pillowman, from writer Martin McDonagh, that much more bitter-sweet to watch.
Ariel (Teboho Tladi) and Tupolski (Ildi Kungl) are two detectives who have been assigned to solve a case or set of cases of missing children. Playing the role of good cop and bad cop nicely, they try to get into the mind of a short-story writer turned witness. The writer, Katurian, played by Hugh Becker initially brought in as a witness, turns out to be a suspect in the cases. Along with his spastic brother, Michal played by Wentzel Lombard, Katurian is forced to relive horrors of his childhood caused by sadistic parents. Clearly directed to give our pair a sort of “opposites attract” dynamic, Tupolski and her companion Ariel find a sort of noble calm under pressure to solve the case.
`The Pillowman’ is an all-around brilliant effort by the cast. Playing the lead role, Hugh Becker was exceptional in every way. He embodies the phrase ‘The only duty of a storyteller is to tell a story’ so nicely and and fulfils by demonstrating undying love for his stories. Wentzel was extremely ingenious in his portrayal of the sensitive Michal. It is a meticulous production on all counts, as directed by Ildi who along with Teboho showcase law enforcement officers also dealing with childhood traumas. Each sequence in this play is choreographed to elicit thought provoking reactions from the audience. Here is a show that leaves you thinking about the impact of family and societal influences on the young mind of growing children.
Martin’s The Pillowman combines elements of horror, folklore, humour and fables and puts them in a blender. The mixture may get a bit muddled at times, but it’s still pretty satisfying in a way that leaves the audience enthralled.