Community theatre tends to focus on the light and upbeat side of life (for proof, look at about 90% of the local offerings in the Tri-State).
Thank goodness there's room for more adult fare and thank goodness for theatre groups like the Charleston Stage Company for being willing and (more than) able to bring serious theatre to the community stage.
Their latest offering, which just wrapped last night, was The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. It's the intense story of a writer who lives in a totalitarian state where the police have total power over his life. He's arrested after three children are killed in ways that seem to be based on stories he's written. Also under suspicion is his mentally-challenged brother.
The play focuses on the interrogation, and this is definitely not a show for youngsters. The language is harsh and the abuse is real and disturbing. But it's fascinating to watch the story unfold as we learn more about the lives and motives of all the characters.
I should caveat my comments by admitting that two of the actors in the show are good friends of mine - but even if they were strangers I'd tell you that they were both amazing in this show. Ryan Hardiman plays the author, Katurian, and you'd have a tough time finding a more challenging role. Ryan is on stage for virtually the entire play (the 30 seconds he's not on stage you can hear him screaming as he's being tortured). He manages to walk the thin line between being a sympathetic character, a victim and someone who must deal with tragic and heart-rending decisions. It's also a physical role, and he's got the bruises to prove it. If they gave out local awards for acting (and they should, shouldn't they?), this performance would put him at the top of the list of nominees.
The other actor who's a good friend is K.C. Bragg, who plays the "good cop" (though we use the term loosely), Tupolski. As one of the two policemen who interrogate Katurian, he presents a tough, no nonsense figure - calculating, cunning and sometimes cruel - but very good at his job. It's not easy to maintain that intensity through the length of the show, but K.C. manages it well, and even handles the bulk of the dark humor in the show (and there's a surprising amount of it).
I don't want to slight the other actors, who all did a tremendous job. Joe Wallace plays the other cop, Ariel, a brute who dishes out most of the punishment and directs the most intense anger at Katurian - but he's also the one with the biggest heart and presents possibly the show's most sympathetic character.
Dan Heyman tackled the difficult role of Katurian's brother. He is extremely convincing as the mentally challenged Michael, a very difficult role (and one that I can't say too much about without giving away too much of the plot).
Kudos also to Frieda Forsley and "Mommy" and Ronn Smith as "Daddy," and a special tip of the hat to Michelle Bowers for some outstanding puppetry work.
The production was spare but perfectly staged by director Tim Mace - an outstanding production in every way.
Congratulations to the company for an excellent production - it's wonderful to see an outstanding show that challenges the audience to think. More, please!
2 comments:
Thank you, Chuck, for the great feedback, and thanks to you and to everyone else who came to see this play that we worked so hard to put on stage. We had great audiences the whole run, and from the conversations I had with people after the performances, it's clear that they were affected. It is validating to know it was appreciated and that there definitely is an audience for more challenging works like this.
-Ryan
Ryan, I was impressed by the whole production!
Oh, and a small indication of the difficulties Ryan went through - after the show I shook his hand - and came away with fake blood sticking to my hand. I couldn't complain, though, because Ryan was covered in the stuff!
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