Margo on Pillowman

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:23pm

Saw it last night and here's my take on it:

What an absolutely striking, affecting, mesmerizing piece of writing from McDonagh. The play shifts seemlessly back and forth from Orton-esque black comedy (with touches of the absurd) to rich gothic story-telling and truly weaves a spell over the audience. The characters are richly drawn and unpredictable, while the narrative itself is utterly fascinating with clever twists and turns throughout.

Some will find this story, which deals with the interrogation of a writer of short stories that dwell on violence towards children, quite unsettling (lots of loud gasps and "jumps" from the people around me). I didn't, but I'm rather unshockable. I nevertheless found the experience to be quite intriguing and entertaining.

The design elements are all outstanding as is the direction from John Crowley.

My only reservations about the production are with the cast. While Zeljko Ivanek is very good as one of the interrogating officers (how many times has he played a role similar to this?) and Michael Stuhlbarg is a major standout as Michal the retarded brother (a definite Tony contender), Goldblum struck me as perhaps a bit too, well, Jeff Goldblum to me -- too self-consciously odd and often "actor-ish," I find him and his mannerisms to be a distraction. And then there's Billy Crudup.

In the crucial central role of Katurian the short story writer, Crudup impresses at times, but overall lacks the charisma and depth and kinetic prescence that the role calls for. He's a bit bland. He also seems to be unsure of the character's overall arc in the play, overplaying at times, underplaying at others and lacking the nuance and subtext in his performance which is necessary to flesh out a character so multi-dimensional and full of conflicts and secrets. One can only imagine what a great actor like Brian O'Byrne (a veteran of several previous McDonagh plays) could have brought to the role. However, I hasten to add that Crudup's inadequacies don't really undermine the overall experience of the play -- the role of Katurian is so well-written that even a pedestrian performance of it still can impress.

This isn't a play for everyone. Some may find it too disturbing. Some may argue that the play is overwritten or that by the end it's a lot of storytelling but ultimately doesn't have a lot to "say" (though what it does say about the potential ramifications of child abuse is quite potent), but to me, the "telling" of the tale was altogether spellbinding and well worth the trip. I'd highly recommend it.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:26pm

So what do you think about Crudup's chances at a Tony Margo? From what I hear, Bill Irwin is being quietly mezmerizing at the Longacre.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:28pm

In my personal opinion, Crudup should win the Tony, but it will probably go to either Irwin or O'Byrne.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:29pm

Wo.. EXCELLENT REVIEW!

[The Goat]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:29pm

I couldn't agree more, Margo. Goldblum was playing Goldblum (I happened to see a repeat of "Will and Grace" right after seeing the play and he was giving the same performance!), and Crudup wasn't dynamic enough--I'm beginning to think that he is overrated. The play itself is provocative and the goings-on get under your skin as it builds up an eerie mood that stays with you after you have left the theatre. I would have loved to see what the British cast did with this!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:30pm

Crudup's a contender I think, just because the role is so terrific (it'll be interesting to see his reviews tomorrow). I wasn't crazy about Irwin. It's a VERY crowded category with 20+ actors eligible for 5 slots so we'll just have to wait and see who makes the cut.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:31pm

James Earl Jones is probably a heavy-hitting contender now, especially after his love letter from Brantley. Denzel could easily coast in on name recognition alone.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:33pm

I adored Zeljko Ivanek, as well as the play overall, which is INCREDIBLE. I hope Ivanek is a major contender for supporting actor in a play...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 7:34pm

And we'll have to see what they do with the Glengarry cast. Everybody was considered Featured for the original production, but I wonder if Schreiber and/or Alda might end up being Lead for the revival.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 8:01pm

So far, I think...

Brian O'Byrne - DOUBT
Bill Irwin - WAOVW
James Earl Jones - ON GOLDEN POND
John C. Reily - ASND
& Billy Crudup - THE PILLOWMAN

I believe one or two of the Glengary guys will sneak in here, but who to kick off??? I think the first three are safe and sure fire bets (can't honestly decide between the 3 of them). Reily was far better in Streetcar than predicted and outshone Richardson by leaps and bounds in my eyes. Crudup, while in a powerful role, as Margo says, lacks a charisma that you just wish for all night in the theatre and he never finds (hes not a bad actor, just not the right one for this role). So, we shall see...

[Razz77]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 12:32am

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Margo...I thought it was one of the most exciting and stirring evenings of theatre I've had in a while...I agree with your comments about Crudup's blandness at some points...Thanks for the wonderful review.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:37am

I saw the National Theatre production with Jim Broadbent. Utterly breathtaking!
The kind of play that you think about days later and go "mmm". Wonderful, wonderful piece of theatre.

[G]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 12:28pm

I saw it at the National, and it was one of the most inspired pieces of theatre I've ever seen. As I loved the London cast so much, I was dreading re-visiting it on Broadway. And rightly so, as it turned out.

Though Billy Crudup was absolutely wonderful, he didn't reach the quality of David Tenant. I was surprised that I didn't mind Jeff Goldblum being Jeff Goldblum as much as I thought I would, but he obviously doesn't in any way come close to the brilliance of Jim Broadbent. I thought Michael Stuhlbarg was utterly dismal. What's with that gay lisp??!! Adam Godley played it so naturally and endearing, and Stuhlbarg seemed to have chosen the easy way out.

Still, even with the US casting, The Pillowman remains such an amazing and powerful production. It's literally story-telling at its best.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 3:59pm

Thanks for the great review, Margo.

I was very interested in reading your opinion on Billy Crudup. He didn't actually convince me in the first 10 minutes of the play and as you said, I felt he was slighly overacting. However, he really managed to win me over after that. I loved the way he 'changed' whenever telling a story.

QM

[pooryorick]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 4:30pm

The Pillowman was extraordinary in London (Broadbent was breathtaking and scary as all hell) and while it doesn't have quite the same fiery cast, it's still the best play on Broadway. Nothing comes close.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 4:49pm

It is the best play on Broadway, hands down. I guess I was the only one who was transfixed by Crudup's performance from the minute the curtain rose, though. I thought it was perfect casting.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 4:51pm

No, MEF, you weren't the only one. A few of my friends loved him from the word 'go' too.

QM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 4:56pm

He's a very, very underrated actor. I was ready to give him the Tony a few years ago for his performance in THE ELEPHANT MAN. I really love his work.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:04pm

Funny, I've come to think of him as overrated after being disappointed in everything that I've seen him do on stage since Arcadia. I thought his Merrick was weak and his Angelo in Measure for Measure was flat and bland. I think he should stick to film because for me he lacks the charisma and kinetic energy of a first-rate stage actor. If he wasn't so pretty, I doubt he'd have much of a career.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:14pm

Wow, harsh words, Margo. But you must admit, he's VERY pretty.

QM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:15pm

He's ridiculously pretty. I wish I looked half as good as he did.

[bwayaddict]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:46pm

Just back this a.m. from my 7 day New York trip. Saw Pillowman on Thursday night! I really debated about seeing this one but am glad I did. My brain is on overload about all the shows I saw especially this one. I sat next to a very nice woman who seemed to be very knowledgeable about plays in New York and she called in disturbingly brilliant. Ben Brantley and other reviewers (she pointed them out to me) were sitting two rows in front of me and we both saw them clapping enthusiasticlly at the end of the show. Sometimes I felt like I did not know enough about the "totalitarian state" and background information to understand the characters. I feel very inadequate compared to Margo to review anything. For me Billy Crudup's performance was the high point. After thinking about it for awhile I could compare the storys in the show to parables in the Bible which for me are open to interpretation. I'm more of a math person that likes answers to everything. In the end I'm glad I saw it and hope to have more clarity as I read other reviews!