Butcher at Signal Ensemble Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...The cast is uniformly terrific, especially Simone Roos' Elena, a nurse/translator with an agenda, and Todd Frugia as the rumpled Inspector Lamb. But the twists, while shocking, don't illuminate anything other than the sadly too-familiar fact that vengeance runs on its own monstrous logic, taking down innocents in its path."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Nicolas Billon concocts a couple too many plot twists in this gripping 2014 psychological thriller, but with grotesque cunning he exposes the futility of justice when confronting epic crimes against humanity. Signal Ensemble director Bries Vannon needs 20 minutes to get the play in gear, but once he does, his cast never flinch from the script's exacting demands."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Billon is a master of building upon anguish and surprise, but Butcher isn’t an easy show to watch: It’s as gruesome as it is gripping, and in the end you’re left with disturbing questions about the monstrosity of man—and no clear answers."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...Director Bries Vannon keeps the reigns tight on his talented ensemble. He coaxes us into this room. He awakens our curiosity. And then he just starts smacking us around with the unraveling truth. Simone Roos arrives to help translate what is happening, what has happened, what will happen. Billon has given Roos‘ character several lengthy narratives. Roos delivers all of them with an unflinching determination. The way she reveals the content with little to no emotion is unnerving. Vannon has the suspense creeping along around twists and turns until it gets to a very dark and dangerous spot. And then he just pushes us over the edge."