The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh is a disturbing block comedy of Katurian, the protagonist, an amoral fiction writer unnamed totalitarian state. His short stories often depict stories of gruesome murders of children including stories of murders by children. Due to the troubling content of his books that appear to resemble many real-life murders, Katurian and his brain damaged brother Michal are brought in for questioning by two policemen - good cop /bad cop duo Tupolski and Ariel. 

Katurian and Michal are questioned and tortured as the policemen attempt to unravel the problem. The Pillowman thus segues between reality and storytelling: the gripping drama and shock revelations will have sitting at the edge of your seats.

Martin McDonagh, a British-Irish playwright, screenwriter, and director, is among the most acclaimed living Irish playwrights. His ventures have won him a host of accolades including a win for Best Live Action Short Film at the Academy Award. He's also been nominated for three other Academy Awards, and in 2018 won three BAFTA Awards from four nominations and two Golden Globe Awards from three nominations for his film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The Pillowman, McDonagh’s first non-Irish play was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2004 and received a 2005 Tony Award nomination for Best Play.

Bringing The Pillowman to a local audience this July, the play will be directed by Shannon Misso and produced by Dininda Paranahewa. Yasas R. Ratnayake will essay the role of Katurian and will be joined by Biman Wimalaratne (Michal), Bimsara Premaratne (Tupolski), Ashini Fernando (Ariel), 
Swasha Perera (Younger Katurian) and Tracy Jayasinghe (Younger Michal).

The Pillowman will go on board at the Punchi Theatre on the 7th and 8th of July from 7pm onwards. Tickets available at http://tickets.lk, The studio (25, Isipathana Mawatha Colombo 5) and at Punchi Theatre.