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Hangmen: Martin McDonagh's Bone-Chilling Masterpiece

Mario Benedetti

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Published in Hangmen (Faber Drama) Martin McDonagh

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Martin McDonagh's latest play, Hangmen, is a tour de force of dark comedy and suspense. McDonagh's signature blend of humor and horror is on full display in this gripping tale of a hangman and his victims.

The play is set in Oldham, England, in 1965. Harry Wade (played by David Threlfall) is a hangman who has just executed his last victim. He is a lonely and bitter man, haunted by the ghosts of those he has killed. When a group of young people break into his home and demand that he tell them the story of his life, Harry is forced to confront his past.

Hangmen (Faber Drama)

by Martin McDonagh

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	182 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages

Hangmen is a masterfully crafted play that explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. McDonagh's writing is sharp and witty, and his characters are complex and unforgettable. The play is a must-see for fans of dark comedy and suspense.

The Characters

Harry Wade is a complex and contradictory character. He is a murderer, but he is also a victim. He is haunted by the ghosts of those he has killed, but he is also a man who is capable of great love and compassion.

The young people who break into Harry's home are a group of misfits and outcasts. They are drawn to Harry because they are fascinated by his dark past. However, they soon realize that Harry is not the monster they thought he was.

The Themes

Hangmen explores a number of dark and disturbing themes. The play asks questions about the nature of guilt, redemption, and the evil. McDonagh does not provide easy answers to these questions, but he forces the audience to confront them.

The play also explores the relationship between violence and entertainment. Harry Wade is a public executioner, and his job is to kill people. However, the audience is also fascinated by Harry. We want to know his story, and we want to see him perform his gruesome task.

The Verdict

Hangmen is a masterpiece of dark comedy and suspense. McDonagh's writing is sharp and witty, and his characters are complex and unforgettable. The play is a must-see for fans of theater and film.

5/5 stars

About the Author

Martin McDonagh is an Irish playwright, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for his plays The Pillowman, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, and Hangmen. McDonagh's work has been translated into over 30 languages and performed in over 50 countries.

McDonagh's plays are often dark and violent, but they are also full of humor and compassion. He is a master of creating complex and unforgettable characters, and his work has been praised for its originality and its insights into the human condition.

Hangmen (Faber Drama)

by Martin McDonagh

4.6 out of 5