Review: The Pillowman

I was a bit reluctant about seeing the Melbourne Theatre Company play, "The Pillowman" when I read what it was about and the associated warnings. Though I couldn't resist booking the tickets when the cast included Joel Edgerton, Dan Wyllie & Kim Gyngell.

This play is about two brothers (played by Edgerton & Wyllie), one writes gruesome short stories and cares for the other brother, who is intellectually disabled. The two brothers are held by the police when murders are committed which replicate the short stories.

The warning by MTC stated: "contains scenes and strong language that some may find disturbing. Not suitable for children or those who may be easily offended."

I heard that people had left during intermission at earlier shows as it was so shocking. I don't watch horror/thriller movies, so I had to really gear myself up for this. I wondered how they would demonstrate these awful stories on stage, but they did it brilliantly.

It was gruesome, scary, confronting, crude and many times, funny. The acting was absolutely brilliant. Edgerton & Wyllie make you realise how good actors are supposed to be. Gyngell was stellar also.

It made it a little bit more confronting considering that we were in the front row. Several points in the show I was quite scared, as we had a few props in front of us, including a metal wastepaper bin, which they continually used to throw things away they set fire to. I was hoping there was some kind of fire retardant in that bin.

The show goes for 3 hours, including a 20 minute intermission. It never appears to drag on and is compelling the entire time.

Definitely see it. I thought this was a good review, if you wanted to check it out.