Lily Allen showed off her bloodied face as she took a bow at the end of her press night debut performance in The Pillowman on Wednesday night.
The singer turned theatre star, 38, recently made her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story and has returned to the stage in Martin McDonagh’s play.
She is starring as Katurian in the revival of the 2003 play, which follows the fiction writer as she is imprisoned by a totalitarian state.
After the press night show, Lily appeared to be in jovial spirits as she appeared on stage at the Duke of York Theatre alongside her co-star Steve Pemberton.
Bowing to the crowds, Lily showed off her character’s injuries as blood trickled down her face and stained her jumper, hinting at the tragic ending of the production.
Injured: Lily Allen showed off her bloodied face as she took a bow at the end of her press night debut performance in The Pillowman on Wednesday night
Star: The singer turned theatre star, 38, recently made her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story and has returned to the stage in Martin McDonagh’s play
Quick change! Later Lily changed into a glam black velvet and lace gown as she enjoyed the press night party
She cut a casual figure in dark jeans and a blue baggy jumper for the show, while she styled her platinum locks in a choppy bob.
Lily appeared pleased with the debut press night run of The Pillowman as she flashed a huge smile and waved at the crowds while taking a bow.
She was joined on stage by her co-stars Steve, who plays Tupolski, and Matthew Tennyson, who stars as Michal, for the curtain call.
Lily is the first woman to play the Katurian, after David Tennant portrayed the leading character in the original 2003 Olivier award-winning play.
Speaking about the decision to cast a woman in the role, Lily told The Telegraph: I think it will add an extra layer of horror, because we’re not used to seeing women being beaten up.
‘It will be shocking, in that sense. I also feel that men don’t necessarily get the same c**p for their artistic output that women do.’
The Pillowman follows Katurian as she is brutally questioned by authorities after a spate of murders bear similarities to her short stories.
Critics were quick to give their reviews on the revival of The Pillowman, with The Telegraph awarding it three stars.
Leading lady: She is starring as Katurian in the revival of the 2003 play, which follows the fiction writer as she is imprisoned by a totalitarian state
Cast: After the press night show, Lily appeared to be in jovial spirits as she appeared on stage at the Duke of York Theatre alongside her co-stars Steve Pemberton and Matthew Tennyson
Debut: Bowing to the crowds, Lily showed off her character’s injuries as blood trickled down her face and stained her jumper, hinting at some of the more gruesome moments in the play
Critic Clare Allfree described the play as ‘suitably sinister’ but as ‘lacking psychological conviction’ as she gave her review.
She wrote: ‘[The] production lacks psychological conviction and a certain atmospheric pungency, while Allen is all at sea amid the play’s daring shifts in tone.
‘I went expecting to be shaken and sickened. Instead I found myself often mildly bored.’
The black comedy ‘examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price do we pay for freedom of expression’, according to a synopsis on the play’s website.
Speaking about The Pillowman’s discussions around censorship, Lily said the play raises a lot of questions about freedom of speech and the internet.
Performance: She was joined on stage by her co-stars Steve, who plays Tupolski, and Matthew Tennyson, who stars as Michal, for the curtain call
Glam: Lily later changed into an elegant black gown with lace puffed sleeves and sheer side panelling as she attended the press night afterparty at the Cafe At The Crypt
Gorgeous: She made sure to capture attention in the show-stopping ensemble as she celebrated the play’s debut night
Big day! Lily teamed her sensational ensemble with a pair of black heels as she strutted out of the Duke of York theatre after the show
Amazing: Lily is the first woman to play the Katurian, after David Tennant portrayed the leading character in the original 2003 Olivier award-winning play
Glam: She styled her short blonde tresses in her signature bob and applied a radiant palette of makeup as she was greeted by fans at the stage door
Home time: Lily stepped out after the opening night and headed home with pals
Also starring in the acclaimed play, which is directed by Matthew Dunster, are the likes of Daniel Millar and Rebecca Lee.
The production will run at the Duke of York Theatre until September 2, with its hotly-anticipated opening night on Friday having already sold out.
The Pillowman has partnered with PEN International, a worldwide association of writers, for the West End run of the production.
Announcing the partnership, they said: ‘We are proud to be working with this production of The Pillowman, and participate in this ambitious project that supports many of the values we promote such as the need for tolerance, critical thinking and informed debate.’
