Is great art the result of enduring great pain? Does the artist have a moral responsibility towards those who consume his work? What is the psychic cost of vengeance?
Watched my first play with Aunty Lai Leng last night at the DBS Arts Centre.
"The Pillowman" presented by The Singapore Repertory Theatre"
Really enjoyed myself immensely. Although I'm into musicals, (Oliver Twist, Phantom of the Opera) this was definitely an unforgettable experience that I'll never forget in a very long time.
SYNOPSIS
The Pillowman (Olivier Award winner for Best Play in 2004) played to rave reviews in London and New York. The Asian premiere is directed by Tracie Pang (Best Director nominee ST Life! Theatre Awards 2007), and features the top talents of the Singapore stage - Adrian Pang (first theatre role after winning the ST Life! Best Actor Award 2007), Michael Corbidge, Daniel Jenkins and Shane Mardjuki.
With the twists of a thriller, and the twisted logic of a horror film, The Pillowman is darkly funny and surprisingly poignant. Katurian, a writer of terrifying short stories, has been newly imprisoned and is questioned by the police, who scale new heights of brutality - and black humour - with their version of the good cop/bad cop mind game. Along the way, the reasons for the storyteller's capture are revealed in a viciously entertaining cat-and-mouse game that has you on the edge of your seat.
Indeed, I had a pretty sleepless night yesterday after I came home from the play past midnight. Call me sadistic, but I felt that those grosteque short stories written by Katurian in the play, were one of a kind. The murder plots were so disturbingly sinister that it seemed as if killing had become an art. "The Applemen": murdering by forcing pieces of apple shaped as little men hiding a razor blade within down the victim's throat. Or chopping the toes off a little boy and letting him bleed to death. So dark was the plot that it kept me on the edge of my seat for 3 whole hours. Just when you thought you'd know the ending, there is a twist, and the play will bring you on a rollercoaster ride beyond your wildest dreams.
One of the short stories included that of the Pillowman:
The Pillowman is a Sandman-like character who convinces children who will grow up to lead miserable adult lives to kill themselves. Nasty fella isn't it. But he felt as if he was doing the little children a favour........
All I can say is that I'm so privileged to be exposed to such thought-provoking plays/ performances. Just love it.
To all my friends out there, this is a play not to be missed. (Note: For ages 16 and above due to use of strong language and violence) Fs pepper every sentence. Violence is a recurring theme. and... THEY FREAKING SMOKE AND BURN STUFF ON STAGE. BUT... definitely an intriguing piece of work.
Quite unalike to anything seen before on a stage, The Pillowman will inhabit your dreams long after you have experienced it.
"The story just leaves you gasping--- it's beautiful and horrifying" -Adrian Pang
3:29 pm
PROFILE
berniceheng
28.11.1990
lovesGOD Raffles Junior College
08S03N
rjROW
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
-philippians 2:14-15
Really enjoyed myself immensely. Although I'm into musicals, (Oliver Twist, Phantom of the Opera) this was definitely an unforgettable experience that I'll never forget in a very long time. 
With the twists of a thriller, and the twisted logic of a horror film, The Pillowman is darkly funny and surprisingly poignant. Katurian, a writer of terrifying short stories, has been newly imprisoned and is questioned by the police, who scale new heights of brutality - and black humour - with their version of the good cop/bad cop mind game. Along the way, the reasons for the storyteller's capture are revealed in a viciously entertaining cat-and-mouse game that has you on the edge of your seat.
The Pillowman is a Sandman-like character who convinces children who will grow up to lead miserable adult lives to kill themselves. Nasty fella isn't it. But he felt as if he was doing the little children a favour........