06/07 season
by martin mcdonagh
directed by les waters
thrust stage
january 12–march 11, 2007
running time: 2 hours and 45 minutes,
including one 15 minute intermission
extended through march 11
the show
interview
Hear a KCBS interview with Pillowman actor Matt Maher (4.8MB mp3)
podcasts
Director Les Waters talks about the play (3MB mp3)
Director Les Waters talks about the set (5MB mp3)
look behind the scenes
Get ready for an edgy and enthralling evening with The Pillowman, which blends black comedy and mystery until “whodunit” is the least of your concerns. A man tells creepy stories to entertain his mentally challenged brother—but then grisly murders that mirror these tales slice through town, and two cops come knocking. The Pillowman mesmerized audiences during its recent London and Broadway runs—don’t miss Berkeley Rep’s production.
the artists
The Pillowman netted Martin McDonagh England’s prestigious Olivier Award, and was Tony-nominated, along with his plays The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Lonesome West and Beauty Queen of Leenane, as best play on Broadway. Beauty Queen earned four Tony Awards, and Berkeley Rep presented it to great acclaim in 1999. Last year, McDonagh won an Oscar for his short film, Six Shooter. McDonagh is renowned as the only playwright since Shakespeare to have four shows running simultaneously in London’s West End.
Les Waters continues his chilling journey through spooky stories: Time Out New York named his off-Broadway Apparition one of the Best 5 Plays of 2005, and local audiences won’t soon forget his haunting Eurydice (now a Pulitzer Prize finalist) or unnerving Finn in the Underworld.
the buzz
“ASTONISHING…Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman is a fairy tale wrapped in a nightmare told with uncommon mastery…a whodunit that keeps spinning outrageously out of control…with McDonagh’s trademark blend of outrageous violence and humor…Masterfully staged by Les Waters and brilliantly performed, the intricate tale resonates with questions about the art, reliablity and responsibility of storytelling…a remarkable script made riveting in the Berkeley Repertory Theatre production”—San Francisco Chronicle
“A spellbinding stunner…the laughs trail into gulps and gasps…for all its darkness of plot and imagery, The Pillowman dazzles with a brightness now largely absent from Broadway.”—New York Times
“THEATRICAL MAGIC…The Pillowman gives an entirely new spin to the notion of theatrical magic…Literary sleight-of-hand that leaves audiences both entertained and gasping at its fanciful detours from reality…What you are witnessing here is masterful tale-spinning…Be prepared for a breathtaking theatrical experience.”—Contra Costa Times
“SHOCKINGLY GOOD…Waters and his design team—including Antje Ellermann, sets, and Russell H. Champa, lights—find some terrific ways to layer past and present, fact and fiction, delight and horror…carefully and quite skillfully navigates the division between exploitation, tragedy and dark comedy…It really is shocking and thrilling.”—Oakland Tribune
“ELECTRIFYING…You’ll be howling from start to finish, partly in laughter, partly in terror, usually both…There is not a false breath as the pitch-perfect ensemble channels the demons of modern society for almost three hours…The only thing that may stop us from giving a standing ovation is that we can’t quite find our legs.”—San Jose Mercury News
“The audience, too, wants to know where the stories lead, even as it suspects that with every twist the plot will become more gruesome.”—The New Yorker
“CHILLING, TWISTED and STRANGELY ENCHANTING…The wonder of the play comes in the stunning stories Martin McDonagh has created within his story. In McDonagh’s ghoulish but riveting world, guessing is just part of the fun.”—Newsday
“DENSE, DISTURBING AND WICKEDLY FUNNY…This makes Wes Craven look like Mother Goose.”—Daily News
add value—free events
free docent presentations
Free docent presentations offer a look inside each play and its development at Berkeley Rep. A 30-minute presentation takes place one hour before every Tuesday and Thursday 8PM performance.
These presentations are made possible by support from American Express.
post-show discussions
Post-show discussions take place on February 1, 13 and 16. Stick around for a lively 30-minute Q&A with the cast or other company members.
press photos
production sponsor
season sponsors
