The Singapore Repertory Theatre just did a production of The Pillowman to a sell-out audience, though on one of the nights, there were about 10 walkouts during ACT1 and about 20 by the end of intermission. Usually 5-10 leave before intermission per night. But reviewers loved it.
For some stories which Katurian narrated, like the little green pig, there was no special effects, just plain story telling. Some like the writer's brother and the little jesus was acted out as he narrated. And some like the pillowman, had a graphic novel projector thing going on in the background.
I loved the scene at the end where Katurian dies, because we had a real gun but we used blanks, and that was a rare sight in Singapore, where people are not allowed to own guns, and it was always so unexpected even though i knew it was coming. Perhaps i was taken aback by how loud the gun sounded in the small theatre.
For the blood, we packed hand made blood packs into the hood and when he falls over, the blood spills after he falls to the side. Looks pretty real.