I went yesterday to see the Singapore Repertory Theatre's production of "The Pillowman" by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. Described as a dark comedy, "The Pillowman" is dark indeed, not designed to give you that "happy ever after" sort of feeling after the play is done. The play is about a writer who writes horrid little tales, largely of children being abused and killed. But in his town, children are being killed in similar ways. The police bring him in for questioning. Then the writer learns that his brother is in the next room, also suspected of the crime. So who is the killer? And what was his motive? At the end it is a story about stories, about the nature of happy endings. It has rightly won award after award, on Broadway and in the West End, and has received review after positive review (here's the NYT piece) .
I thought it well acted, with Adrian Pang, Michael Corbidge, Daniel Jenkins and Shane Mardjuki making up the 4-man cast. But clearly, Michael Corbidge as Katurian K. Katurian stood out for me, as did Daniel Jenkins' endearing portrayal of his simple-minded brother.
But somehow there is a sense of deja vu I get about the play. The two detectives (played by Adrian Pang and Shane Mardjuki) remind me of the two detectives in "The Kindly Ones" by Neil Gaiman who turn out to be Loki and Puck. And is it a coincidence that one of these two policemen is named after another Shakespearan faerie spirit, Ariel? Likewise, some of the stories seem to be vaguely familiar. Ah, well.
Just before the play, we went to Canele for tea. This patisserie/chocolaterie is anything but dark. The first thing which catches
the eye upon entry is the bowls of meringues - vanilla, rose and violet - upon the counter. Part of the Les Amis group, this little shop sells delectable desserts. I had a green tea cake mousse which was light, not too sweet and slid ever so gently down my throat. The only similarity to the play was probably that it was shaped like a little pillow. Anyway, I enjoyed it so much that I went back after the play to buy this small little box of macaroons.
I thought it well acted, with Adrian Pang, Michael Corbidge, Daniel Jenkins and Shane Mardjuki making up the 4-man cast. But clearly, Michael Corbidge as Katurian K. Katurian stood out for me, as did Daniel Jenkins' endearing portrayal of his simple-minded brother.
But somehow there is a sense of deja vu I get about the play. The two detectives (played by Adrian Pang and Shane Mardjuki) remind me of the two detectives in "The Kindly Ones" by Neil Gaiman who turn out to be Loki and Puck. And is it a coincidence that one of these two policemen is named after another Shakespearan faerie spirit, Ariel? Likewise, some of the stories seem to be vaguely familiar. Ah, well.
Just before the play, we went to Canele for tea. This patisserie/chocolaterie is anything but dark. The first thing which catches
the eye upon entry is the bowls of meringues - vanilla, rose and violet - upon the counter. Part of the Les Amis group, this little shop sells delectable desserts. I had a green tea cake mousse which was light, not too sweet and slid ever so gently down my throat. The only similarity to the play was probably that it was shaped like a little pillow. Anyway, I enjoyed it so much that I went back after the play to buy this small little box of macaroons.
Canele has a good chocolate ice cream creation but I was so-so about their other ice creams. I liked that brightly hued shot of yours. Very colourful indeed.
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