Lily Allen’s debut in the revival of Martin McDonagh’s play The Pillowman received tepid reviews after yesterday’s premiere at the Duke Of York Theatre.
The singer has taken on the gender-reversed role of Katurian in the play and accompanies the novelist in her imprisonment in a totalitarian state.
But even though she ditched her typically stylish looks in favor of a gorier and bruised look, critics weren’t as impressed with the revival.
One wrote that they felt “slightly bored” watching the show, while others called their talents too “limited” for the complex character.
Lily wore a bloody face as she took a bow at the end of her press night debut, having starred in the play alongside Steve Pemberton and Paul Kaye, taking over the role previously played by David Tennant in the 2003 original.
Didn’t you like it? Lily Allen’s debut in the revival of Martin McDonagh’s play The Pillowman received tepid reviews from critics after its premiere at the Duke Of York Theater
Claire Allfree gave the show three stars in The Telegraph, writing: “[The] The staging lacks psychological conviction and a certain atmospheric poignancy, while Allen is completely at sea amid the play’s daring tone changes.
“I went expecting to be devastated and sick. Instead, I often felt slightly bored.’
The Times gave the play a meager two stars, and Clive Davis wrote, “Is Allen up to the task?” It is true that she did not disgrace herself in the hugely popular supernatural thriller 2:22: A Ghost Story.
“But here its limitations are more clearly recognizable. There is little variety in her voice and gestures; sometimes she almost seems to be a spectator of her own ordeal.
“It’s Steve Pemberton and Paul Kaye – as the sadistic Tupolski and Ariel, respectively – that catch your eye.”
However, Nick Curtis of the Evening Standard gave the play four stars, writing: “Allen, who made an impressive stage acting debut in Dunster’s ongoing 2:22 A Ghost Story, is compelling to watch: drawn, intense, edgy.”
“But this show requires a juggling of emotional states that she can’t quite muster.”
Meanwhile, The Stage gave the show three stars, and Sam Marlow wrote, “There’s a pale emptiness about Allen that may be intentional but makes her difficult to connect with.”
Dark: The singer has taken on the gender-swapped role of Katurian in the 2003 revival of the play that follows the novelist as she is imprisoned by a totalitarian state
Stunning: But while she ditched her typically stylish looks in favor of a bloodier and bruised look (pictured at press night), critics weren’t as impressed with the revival
“McDonagh looks at rather than questions the myth of the tortured artist and the idea of creative immortality. Yet by mischievously refusing to commit himself to a position, he repeatedly undermines his own arguments, with the result that the piece feels thin and nebulous.’
Writing for Theater Mania, Alex Wood: ‘As with her West End debut 2:22 A Ghost Story (also directed by Dunster), Allen does well on stage – genuine, eloquent and never overly mad in a role that it could easily.” fell into the wrong hands.
“She certainly has better material to work with here than her freshman stage performance, insofar as you can follow a very clear character arc as Katurian transitions from confusion to assured catharsis.”
After the press night show, Lily appeared to be in a merry mood as she performed on stage at the Duke of York Theater alongside her co-star Steve Pemberton.
Lily bowed to the crowd and showed her character’s injuries while blood ran down her face and stained her sweater, foreshadowing the tragic end of the production.
Lily seemed pleased with the premiere of “The Pillowman” on press night as she flashed a big smile, waving to the crowd and bowing in the process.
She was joined onstage for the curtain call by her co-stars Steve, who plays Tupolski, and Matthew Tennyson, who plays Michal.
Lily is the first woman to play Katurian after David Tennant played the lead character in Olivier’s award-winning original play.
That is different! Lily took on the role previously played by David Tennant in the original 2003 play
Of the decision to cast a woman in the role, Lily told The Telegraph, “I think that’s going to add to the horror because we’re not used to seeing women get beat up.”
“In that sense, it’s going to be shocking.” I also feel that men don’t necessarily get the same credit for their artistic achievement as women do.”
The Pillowman follows Katurian as she is brutally questioned by authorities after a string of murders bears similarities to her short stories.
The black comedy “examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price we pay for freedom of expression,” according to a synopsis on the play’s website.
Speaking about The Pillowman’s discussions about censorship, Lily said the play raises many questions about free speech and the internet.
The production runs through September 2 at the Duke of York Theater with the much-anticipated opening night on Friday already sold out.