7 Towers Theatre
The 7 Towers Theatre Company's production of The Pillowman was inspired by the company's emphasis on storytelling. The production used shadow puppetry to create the dark world of Katurian's stories, and to experiment with visual narrative in compelling ways. It was
Despite McDonagh’s delight in grotesque violence, the play ultimately argues that our primal need for storytelling is the key to our redemption. Along the way, of course, McDonagh asks near-impossible questions about artistic responsibility and posits some disturbing suggestions about what can happen when someone takes a dedication to storytelling too far. You’re going to see some things that are very hard to watch. The plays tells some stories that are very hard to listen to. And yet, the beauty of The Pillowman lies in the balance it presents between creation and destruction. In the end, the play is a testament to the beauty of human expression.
For me, it is also a strong argument for protecting the freedom of that expression.
This production also toured to a converted barn space in Round Top, Texas, as part of a summer educational residency with the University of Texas at Austin's Shakespeare at Winedale program.
Despite McDonagh’s delight in grotesque violence, the play ultimately argues that our primal need for storytelling is the key to our redemption. Along the way, of course, McDonagh asks near-impossible questions about artistic responsibility and posits some disturbing suggestions about what can happen when someone takes a dedication to storytelling too far. You’re going to see some things that are very hard to watch. The plays tells some stories that are very hard to listen to. And yet, the beauty of The Pillowman lies in the balance it presents between creation and destruction. In the end, the play is a testament to the beauty of human expression.
For me, it is also a strong argument for protecting the freedom of that expression.
This production also toured to a converted barn space in Round Top, Texas, as part of a summer educational residency with the University of Texas at Austin's Shakespeare at Winedale program.
