"Sentimental but darkly funny" was how a "provocative" black comedy coming to Kenilworth was described by its director.

The Pillowman will head to the mainstage at the Talisman Theatre & Arts Centre this November, bringing writer Martin McDonagh's acclaimed piece to life.

Twenty years after its world premiere, the modern classic is coming to Kenilworth for the very first time, with director Dave Crossfield encouraging local audiences to come and try something new.

"It's a very sentimental piece in a way," he told Nub News. 

"Of course there are some very dark aspects, with child murders and it is very sad with what happens to the main character.

"But it is sentimental as it talks about the cycle of how your parents can shape you in a negative way by how they bring you up.

"That sentimentality also has comedy through it too.

"I think that's probably a good reason to come and come and watch it really."

The Pillowman is set within a fictional police state and focuses on writer Katurian who is arrested after several children are found murdered in eerily similar ways to her disturbing tales.

Katurian is interrogated by two brutal detectives, and as her potential execution nears she must fight to prove her innocence.

Joanna Stevely plays Katurian at the Talisman in a departure from the traditional casting of a male in the role, as Dave looks to bring his own influence to the piece.

"It's really important to put your own stamp on something," he continued. 

"I don't tend to be influenced by anything I've seen and I want this to be very much our production. 

"I have seen this production before, and those productions had included a recording of one of the scenes, which was great.

"I considered going down the animation route for that particular scene but actually we're going to stage it with dolls which is going to be very different and exciting."

Having been involved with productions at the Talisman for over two decades, Dave has also directed a number of pieces before.

Previous productions include The Ladykillers, Shirley Valentine and Murder by Misadventure.

And while The Pillowman is very different in subject matter and tone to his previous productions, Dave stressed his desire to always keep the audience engaged throughout.

Playing at good cop and bad cop Ariel (Ewen Weatherburn - C) is more brutish and unforgiving than the sometimes fairer but sneaky Tupolski (Ruth MacCallum - R)

"What I am focusing on the most is the packaging of the play, making it flow from one scene to another, with no dead air," he explained.

"I have seen plays where you see a scene, then another scene, then another but there is nothing to take you from one to another.

"So, the challenge is to make it flow, there's always got to be something that's stimulating the audience. 

"I think a lot of people don't pay attention to that.

"We've got a great sound engineer and we have been working on a soundscape for months for this piece.

"That is what I really enjoy - bringing all the aspects together from the lighting, to the staging, to the acting.

"It's the realism that I want to bring out in the scene so that the audience can get involved in the story."

The Pillowman runs from Monday 3 to Saturday 8 November at the Talisman Theatre and tickets are still available.

And for those who have not seen The Pillowman, or perhaps never been to the Barrow Road venue before, Dave said: "Come along and have a look.

"Firstly, there's a great bar there - that's as important as the show!

"And secondly, you'll be amazed how many people we have had come to the theatre for the first time and been totally gobsmacked at how immersive it is, and how the pieces are on stage.

"I think people will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the production which the Talisman strives to attain. 

"And of course as well as watching, people can come and join as members too!"

To find out more, or to book your tickets, head to the Talisman Theatre website here.

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