You Only Have Four More Days To See ‘The Pillowman’ In London. Here’s Why You Should.

Watching The Pillowman at Duke of York’s Theatre in London last night was, hands down, the most intense live theater performance I’ve ever experienced. Part of it, I’m sure, was because my husband and I were sitting second row center and were so transported into the show, it was hard to remember it was, in fact, a show.

The bigger reason it was so profound, though, was because the acting is simply extraordinary. Martin McDonagh’s dark, violent and occasionally wickedly funny play is taken to a whole new level due to the powerful performances of every single actor. When the greasy-haired, crazy-eyed policeman, Ariel (Paul Kaye), throws Katurian (Lily Allen) to the ground to torture her, I swear I almost jumped onstage to pull him off her.

The Olivier award winning play, which takes place in an unnamed totalitarian state, is about Katurian, a writer who has been brought in for questioning because of a series of murders which bear a striking resemblance to her short stories. The theme of freedom of speech lies at the core of The Pillowman – along with its consequences. And that’s what makes the play so thought-provoking. Although McDonagh wrote it 20 years ago, its subject matter is perhaps even more relevant today. It’s why, over the summer, PEN International partnered with The Pillowman for three post-show Q&As.

Almost the entire show is set in the police station – in the interrogation room (Steve Pemberton is perfect in the role of Ariel’s boss, authoritarian Tupolski) and the cell in which Katurian’s brother, Michal (brilliantly played by Matthew Tennyson), is being held. The only other settings are there to provide background and involve scenes of child abuse, which – while not graphic – are hauntingly horrific. The whole play is claustrophobic, intimate and deeply disturbing. I can’t imagine what it takes for the cast to decompress after each show.

Every cast member is excellent but I want to talk about Lily Allen. This revival marks the first time a woman has been cast as Katurian on the West End and it’s impossible to picture anyone else taking on the role. I was shocked at the mixed reviews of her performance because when she comes out, in tears, for the curtain call — and standing ovation — at the end of The Pillowman, I was right there with her. She’s channeled all her grief, anger and vulnerability into this performance and she deserves every award.

To see just how strongly her performance has resonated with audiences, stand by the stage door after the show and listen to the conversations she has with them. They will move you.

The Pillowman must end on September 2 and, trust me, you don’t want to miss it. This devastating play may have a limited run but it will stay with you for a long time.