In a dark and dingy interrogation room in an unnamed totalitarian state, Katurian is questioned when the gruesome content of his short stories begins to resemble a series of bizarre murders occurring in his town. When the police also take his mentally impaired brother into custody, Katurian must decide how best to protect himself, his brother, and his stories. With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka, and the Brothers Grimm, this dark and provocative tale explores the very nature of nurture.

The Story

The Reason

The Pillowman is a tale of the human spirit in its attempt to survive the brutality around us. It utilizes the concept of institutions, be it the government or the family unit, to examine the harm and abuse that can come from having complete authority over the lives of others. It questions the importance of art within ourselves and society. What sacrifices would you make for art? Is art a part of human nature? Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? The Pillowman suggests that maybe it’s both. We will let you decide.

I believe we are all given a naturally innocent spirit, and it’s the nurturing of that spirit that largely determines the outcome of our lives. Nurturing can encourage and it can harm. With that in mind, I would like to share with the world this little quote from The Pillowman that is near and dear to my heart: “Don’t go around killing little fucking kids.”

Enjoy The Pillowman.