Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton To Star in The Pillowman

Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, award-winning black comedy widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the past 25 years, will premiere in the West End in 2023.

It will be available to watch at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 10 June to 2 September 2023.

McDonagh, celebrated for his absurdist dark humour, also wrote plays The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

The narrative examines the role of the artist in society and follows the story of an author investigated by authorities about a series of murders that resemble her fictional stories.

It will be an all-star cast consisting of Lily Allen (2:22 A Ghost Story) and Steve Pemberton (The League of Gentlemen, Killing Eve, Inside Number 9), with Matthew Dunster (Hangmen) directing the first major revival of Martin McDonagh’s insanely funny play.

Complete casting will be announced at a later date.

McDonagh said:

"I'm thrilled that The Pillowman is finally making its West End premiere. It's a play that's always been very close to my heart, in terms of its combination of dark comedy with its exploration of the nature of story-telling itself and the role of the artist in society. With so many personal freedoms under attack by governments and religions around the world I think it's a perfect time to put this play on.”

Set and costume design is the work of Anna Fleischle, light design is signed by Neil Austin, and sound design by Ian Dickinson.