The Pillowman Reviews

Sean Robinson from London, England

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE FROM LILY ALLEN

Thoroughly enjoyable dark (very dark) comedy from the writer of In Bruges. Out of an excellent cast, Lily Allen shone brightly: mesmerising and engaging. I'm astonished by some of poor reviews some critics have given here and can only think they've got an axe to grind or saw a different performance to the epic one I saw. A great night out and a plot that's still rattling happily around my mind.

Daisy from London, England

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT

I did not know what to expect from this play as some critics dissed it rather badly. IGNORE ALL THOSE NEGATIVE REVIEWS and see the play. There was full standing ovation at the end. And that says it all. Lily Allen was perfect for the role and played incredibly well considering that acting usually isn't her career. Very gripping, dark but also funny in a way when you feel you should not be laughing but you can not stop yourself. I go to a theater often, I see nearly everything that is worth seeing, and I would say that this play definitely is in the top 10% of all the plays I have ever seen. I loved every minute of it.

Chloé Esposito from London, England

ALLEN WAS GREAT!

I took my husband to see The Pillowman last night as an anniversary treat. We are both big McDonagh fans and love his brilliantly twisty black comedies and this one didn't disappoint! I.felt compelled to write this review because we thought all the actors were phenomenal and really enjoyed the performance, but I have seen some negative press about Lily Allen's performance, which we both felt was completely unjustified. She was FANTASTIC! Do go and see this production if you get the chance! Well done to all involved. Cx

Rob from Warrington, England

GREAT STORY TELLING

We knew nothing of the story before attending the performance and wow! Lily Allen & Steve Pemberton (I think it was the stand in for Paul Kayne stand in) who all 3 were amazing! Ignore the press snooty reviews this was great!

Roger Mortimer from London, England

DARK EVEN FOR MCDONAGH!

Yes, it's very dark, but I don't disagree with the crit on the front of the theatre that says its probably the greatest play of the 21st century. If there's a weakness, it isn't the casting of Lily Allen, who rose to the challenge better than I expected - it's the direction. Especially at the beginning, it just goes too fast, as if the cast were running lines in the dressing room rather than performing, with the result that it doesn't seem as if characters are responding to each other. I would also point out that with a gender-swapped Katurian, the story "The Writer and his Brother" can't literally be about him and Michal, though they behave as if it is - a circle the production never quite manages to square.

Tom from London, England

DOESN’T WORK BUT A GAME TRY

As a huge fan of this play originally at the National Theatre and then on Broadway, I was looking forward to this revival and with Lily Allen in the gender flipped female role. Alas it doesn’t work: LA isn’t up to the demands of the part, the actions seem gratuitously sadistic, and the overall tone is too often too facetious or glib. Great design though - all kudos there.

Emily from London, England

ODD CASTING

The play seems like a mish mash of bits from other plays/films/stories without having any originality or depth itself. Using child abuse as a subject matter without cleverness just feels a bit perverse tbh. The casting seemed out of sync…not one that I’ll remember fondly, if at all….

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