Comedies don’t come much darker than “The Pillowman.”
Despite the seemingly mellow title, “The Pillowman” boldly tackles current social issues with fervor such as child abuse, religious persecution, freedom of speech and police brutality.
“The Pillowman,” directed by USI student Scott Cummings, follows aspiring writer Katurian (Jesse Rininger) as fascist police interrogate him for brutally murdering children in the same horrific ways as the children die in his grisly fairy tales.
“The Pillowman” contains graphic language, provocative and troubling themes, and strong depictions of violence–aspects that add to the intensity and brutal reality of Katurian’s environment. “The Pillowman” enters deep into a dark sadistic world, forcing viewers to question their own society.
The student performances were believable and exciting.
Rininger plays Katurian perfectly with realistic emotion, convincing outbursts of anger, while narrating clear, smooth scenes.
Samuel Wentzel plays Michal (Katurian’s brother) well and gives Michal a gleeful, child-like innocence that proves humorous in scenes where he and Katurian banter swiftly.
Detective Tupolski (Cameron Ward), with his deadpan humor, and Officer Ariel’s (Zachary Leonard) flamboyant outbursts of frustration provide many chuckles.
Ward portrays Tupolski accurately as a smooth, cunning and manipulative (though darkly disturbed and power hungry) individual who continues to always believe he is doing the right thing.
Enjoli Drake who played various motherly roles went a little over the top at times and often overpowered the other actors, which detracted from scenes.
Still, the quick rate at which Drake and Arden Foster Tiede (who played the fatherly roles), was able to change costumes and transform her persona to fit the next scene proved impressive.
The lighting dimmed and brightened at optimal moments, further setting the tone, and the sound effects were spot on, but the background music occasionally overpowered the narration.
Although at times gruesome and offensive, “The Pillowman” is the perfect combination of comedy, crime and mystery set in a world where right and wrong are often questioned and justice rarely exists.
