Make it stand out.
“It's rare to be right there watching as something develops, matures and blossoms before your eyes, but that was the feeling you got midway through the first half of Wild Side-Live Five's production of The Pillowman. And the play was only part of it. What was really coming to fruition at Thursday's opening was Saskatoon theatre itself. As one sat and marveled at the jaw-dropping, career-defining performance of Joshua Beaudry --on the same stage where he learned his trade in school --the thrilling realization sunk in that drama in this city has come of age. Excuses are no longer needed. It's no longer "we should go and support our actors," or "it's good -for a local production." This was big-league theatre, plain and simple. Under the meticulous, clearly observed direction of Jim Guedo, a sensational collection of Saskatoon talent brings this off.”
Cam Fuller, The Star Phoenix
Below: Skye Brandon, Robert Benz & Joshua Beaudry
Wild Side Productions Presents
THE PILLOWMAN
by Martin McDonagh
Directed and designed by Jim Guedo
Katurian Skye Brandon
Tupolski Kent Allen
Ariel Robert Benz
Michal Joshua Beaudry
Child Suraya Verlangen
Mother Angela Christie
Father Matt Keyes
“ The cast, expertly chosen, met the highest expectations on opening night, coming through with consistently strong and evenly matched performances. Katurian's bewilderment and later despair shone through in Brandon's work. Benz, sporting a stunning bald head, was the ideal loose cannon. Allen's Tupolski was devious, earning trust one second and breaking it the next for sport. And Beaudry, as the child-like Michal, was almost indescribably brilliant --innocent but unpredictably dangerous, funny yet believable. The play delves into the ego of the creator and the primal power of storytelling, giving us numerous disturbing tales that sound like Grimm fairy tales cranked to 11 --but with surprise endings that out-0. Henry 0. Henry. Some of these tales appear as if by magic behind a wall that you thought was solid, enacted by Angela Christle, Matt Keyes and an impressive grade sixer named Suraya Verlangen. Taken together, these elements create a landmark experience, one that makes you wish there were theatre awards to bestow. Bigger cities have them. We'll need them too, now that we've arrived.”
Cam Fuller, The Star Phoenix
