PAINKILLERS delves into physical and emotional pain through magic tricks and romantic memories. Mamoru, a magician’s assistant who enjoyes her large knitted body, is at the mercy of knives, saws and guns, on and off stage.

Review Extracts + Audience Feedback 

"Like many of Iriguchi’s creations, it’s a playful, deceptively homespun work that gently prods at some profound questions. It will no doubt infuriate some, but charm and captivate many others. " (David Kettle, The Arts Desk ★★★★)

“There is so much wily humour and visual wit in Painkillers. ... Iriguchi is an incarnation of what is raw, visceral and unprotected about the selves we harbour behind clothes, relationships, even the names we assume – and behind the actions we take to dull the pain when society sends us bullets we can't magically catch, let alone dodge.” (Mary Brennan, The Herald)

“Mamoru Iriguchi's Painkillers. Plenty offbeat charm as (s)he(!) treats a booty loada themes: showbiz magic / gendermetamorphosis /penetration / death” (Donald Hutera, Dance writer, Tweet review)

Creative Team

Mamoru Iriguchi: Lead Artist & Performer

Gavin Pringle: Assitant Director & Operator 

Catherine MacNeil: Voiceover

-For Original Production (2014)

Nikki Tomlinson: Dramaturg

Selina Papoutseli: Dramaturg

Susanne Zaun: Dramaturg

Philipp Schulte: Dramaturg

Callum Crouch: Voiceover

Maria Garcia, Yao Liao: Costume Supervisor 

Commissined by The Yard for N.O.W. 14 | Supported by Arts Council England, National Theatre Studio, Chelsea Theatre, The Yard, Artsadmin

photo: Jemima Yong

Past Presentations

The Yard (London), Mousonturm (Frankfurt, Germany), BuzzCut(Glasgow), Dello Scompigilio (Vorno, Italy)