Shocking, sinister, and so very good…we don’t give star ratings for our theatre reviews, but if we did, Pangdemonium’s The Pillowman gets the full five stars. An extremely potent production that’s compelling, horrifying and funny all at once. Daniel Jenkins gives a meticulous, committed, career-high performance, with excellent support from Adrian Pang, Shane Mardjuki and Andy Tear. The additional casting of Bright Ong, Victoria Mintey and Prudence Rivero takes the play to another level of terror and gruesomeness.

From a technical standpoint, Pangdemonium continues to set the bar higher. Compared to the version presented 10 years ago, the current one is far more accomplished. It boasts gorgeous animation and graphic design by Mojo Studios, wall-to-wall sound design by Darren Ng, immaculate lighting by James Tan, and an ingenious set by Eucien Chia. Tracie Pang proves once again that when it comes to dark, disturbing tales, no theatre director here tells them better than she does.

Once is hard pressed to think of a more technically polished dramatic production in recent months. If you’re a fan of dark tales, you’d be remiss not to watch this.

Chilling, fascinating and stylish, The Pillowman shows the power and draw of a good horror story...The cast is impeccable. Jenkins makes the play as Katurian...Andy Tear is delightful and frightening...Pang and Mardjuki turn humour to tension on a dime, wringing gasps from mouths still open on the last laugh and prompting several cries during the more violent scenes. Eucien Chia's set is versatile and economical.

Working with lighting by James Tan, it changes from a featureless interrogation room to a dank cell and even a forest when need be. Darren Ng's sound and music is a palpable, atmospheric presence, enhanced by slick, stark animation from Mojo Studio…with vicious humour and subtle compassion, The Pillowman quietly expresses the cyclical nature of abuse in what seems to be an ever-deepening, darkening spiral.

Deftly helmed by the indomitable Tracie Pang and an incredible cast and creative team...Adrian Pang and Shane Mardjuki’s onstage chemistry is partly what makes The Pillowman so successful. Mastering their characters, Adrian brought out Tupolski’s snark and Shane brought out Ariel’s violent temperament, always verging on the edge of a full blown assault...it was the power of familial relationships that triumphs in mood over the overarching darkness of the play...

Pangdemonium’s The Pillowman is yet another successful play, a difficult script to stage that would be a much lesser product in the hands of less capable people. But the cast and creative team handle the staging with aplomb, bringing the nightmares of the play to life in all its gruesome detail. There’s sufficient nightmare fuel in The Pillowman to keep you awake all night long, and yet, possesses a tenderness to the tragedy beneath it all that will make audiences ache with emotional pain.

A bloody good way to start off their 2017 season, and a harbinger of more great shows to come.

Tough viewing – but well worth the rapt attention given by the packed audience...The Pangdemonium gang have treated the hardcore script with a flair and vim typical of their work – this is what has helped give the theatre group its well respected name in this town. True to form, lines are delivered snappily, direction is tight, and comedy overtones allow the audience to breathe now and then (even have a really good laugh, at times) as the bleak details of the dark plot unravel.

I was impressed at how the four men held their poise and characters throughout the story... Artful stage direction keeps the audience hooked throughout, and the set, though minimal, was clever and emotive. The cast had our full attention; you could have heard a pin drop. True to Pangdemonium’s core values, it is a worthwhile and masterful piece of drama and earned the cast a standing ovation.

You'd be a fool to miss PANGDEMONIUM's superb revival of Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman. Excellently paced and has one constantly on the edge of one's seat. Tracie Pang is alive to the many tales embedded within the contours of this large tale. She allows the monologues to shine and the sheer power of the words to transport us into another world, and is aided by an astonishing creative team. Eucien Chia's stark, versatile set, James Tan's nuanced lighting and Darren Ng's unnerving soundscapes go a long way in bringing the text to life.

There are strong performances all round. Daniel Jenkins slips into the central role of Katurian like a second skin...Andy Tear turns in the finest performance of the evening, an affecting, endearing and ultimately harrowing piece of acting that haunts one long after the play. Adrian Pang moves effortlessly from flippant to ferocious (and) has the audience eating out of his hand. There is also excellent support by Bright Ong, Victoria Mintey and newcomer Prudence Rivero.