Photo Credit: Amanda Schlicher
Human memory is a series of stories people tell themselves about the past. Martin McDonagh explores the darker side of the stories society tells itself in his bleak drama The Pillowman. With a barren stage and a compelling cast, Soulstice Theatre renders McDonagh’s drama in its latest production.
Tim Palacek stars as Katurian, an amateur author of short fiction who is being interrogated by police. The tall and gentle Palacek carries a compassionate intelligence about him in the role. Contrasting against this are Dylan Bolin and Emmitt Morgans as the police officers questioning Katurian about the stories he has written and their possible connection with a couple of homicides.
Bolin has a sinister duplicitous sense of humor that is absolutely chilling in places and absolutely hilarious at times. While Bolin’s character is a sophisticated detective, Morgans’ policeman is much more blunt and brutal. However, Morgans brings a clever charm to his character’s rough-around-the-edges bullying to keep him from coming across like a total demon. As directed by Bo Johnson, the interplay between the two officers is every bit as interesting as the man they’re interrogating.
Mike Loranger rounds out the cast as Katurian’s developmentally challenged brother, also brought in for questioning about the murders. He’s the only other person who is familiar with most of Katurian’s stories. Loranger’s childishly oafish vulnerability plays against Palacek’s more articulate compassion. Both men face their fate in an episodic three-part drama separated by two brief intermissions. Stories rest within stories and themes overlap in a long, deliciously exhausting journey from beginning to end.
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Through May 2 at Soulstice Theatre, 3770 S. Pennsylvania Ave. For tickets, call 414-481-2800.