The Pillowman – Shock Therapy Productions

Overview

If you like your comedies black and brooding, you probably like the work of Martin McDonagh. On the big screen, he spent time In Bruges with Colin Farrell, then had him dally with Seven Psychopaths. On the stage, he has won numerous prestigious awards for his plays — including for The Pillowman.

That the latter revolves around a writer, a collection of short stories that bear quite the resemblance to a spate of real-life crimes, and a police interrogation room in a totalitarian state gives an indication of why this is one of McDonagh's biggest hits. That it uses razor sharp, rapid-fire dialogue to explore themes such as oppression, control and censorship also fits.

In fact, if ever there was an example of McDonagh at his best, this theatre production would be it. Come for the devilish laughs, stay for the absurdist smarts — and to see the entertaining efforts of one of the great modern playwrights.