BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: April 23, 2005

PILLOWMAN

Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Play, the National Theatre's production of Martin McDonagh's THE PILLOWMAN crosses the pond to the Booth Theatre with a glittering American cast headlined by screen heartthrob Billy Crudup and the irresistibly offbeat Jeff Goldblum.

THE PILLOWMAN, directed by John Crowley, measures the value of a man's art against his own life. Set in a fictional, dystopian police state of no specific time or place, Crudup plays Katurian K. Katurian, a slaughterhouse employee whose writings make him the prime suspect in a series of child murders.

The play opens with Katurian bound to a chair with a hood over his head. He sits alone in a Soviet-styled interrogation room, eerily conceived by set designer Scott Pask. Enter two detectives, Tupolski (Goldblum) and Ariel (Željko Ivanek), who play bad cop/worse cop and make no secret of their intention to torture and kill their prisoner.

At first, Katurian has no idea why he is being held, but suspects his writings have rankled the political authorities. He offers to make any changes that might placate them, but when the policemen inform him that he is being detained in connection with some local child slayings, Katurian's fears escalate. And, when he learns that his mentally challenged brother, Michal (Michael Stuhlbarg), has also been brought in, his fears turn to despair.

Like McDonagh's most renowned play, THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, the author explores a troubled relationship between parent and child. In THE PILLOWMAN, both parents are the tormentors and both children are permanently effected by their cruelty. One of them channels his suffering through his creative endeavors; the other by mimicking the gruesome murders his brother has put to page.

Stuhlbarg gives a dynamic performance in his one, rather lengthy, scene. Playing dumb is a Herculean challenge for any actor, and while Stuhlbarg has a number of Broadway credits to his name, not being a household name assists in his complete and credible development of the character. His Michal is pitiful and menacing at the same time and Stuhlbarg strikes the perfect balance.

Željko Ivanek presents a chilling Ariel whose sadistic behavior makes one wonder who has the more threatening social disease. Jeff Goldblum's quirkiness adds to the surreal, Kafka-esque tone. And, Billy Crudup, whose performance in the recent revival of THE ELEPHANT MAN earned him high praise, once again portrays a confined soul in an absurd setting.

Director John Crowley presents a disturbingly grim picture that bursts into color as Katurian's memory and imagination are explored. Vivid flashbacks and story sequences take full advantage of Pask's stunning, multi-level set. Lighting by Brian MacDevitt adds an appropriately sinister touch. The rich verbiage of McDonagh's play not only creates an other-worldly effect, it also establishes an emotional distance from the grisly reality. THE PILLOWMAN, anything but soft and cuddly.