• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews
Burnt Part Boys Review Theatre Weekly

Burnt Part Boys Review Theatre Weekly

Burnt Part Boys Review

by Greg Stewart
August 28, 2016
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Four Star Review from Theatre Weekly‘The Burnt Part Boys’ is the first musical to be staged at Park 90, written by Mariana Elder, it was performed Off-Broadway in 2010. This production, directed by Matthew Iliffe, is the European Premiere -but has it been the right choice for the Park Theatre as their debut musical?

Set in West Virginia in the early 1960’s, ‘The Burnt Part Boys’ tells the story of a group of teenagers living in the shadow of a mining accident in which their fathers were killed a decade previously. With the focus on two brothers, ‘Jake’ and ‘Pete’, who react very differently to the news that the mine, and final resting place of their father, is to be reopened.

‘Pete’ sets off on an adventure and is often guided by the fictional characters of the movies he so adores, these fictional characters have clearly guided him for much of his life, growing up without parental influence.

       

Joseph Peacock plays the central character of ‘Pete’, and he is a very talented young actor. From wide-eyed innocence to hardened explorer every movement he makes is that of a teenager awkwardly trying to fit his own body.

He is supported on his journey by best friend ‘Dusty’, played by Ryan Heenan. The two fit perfectly together, Heenan executes the comedic part of the role with precision and balances it with the angst portrayed by Peacock.

You mightalso like

matt Henry Joins Annie Get Your Gun

Olivier Award-Winning Star Matt Henry Joins Cast of “Annie Get Your Gun” Concert at London Palladium

Leaves of Glass The Park Theatre

New Spring 2023 productions at Park Theatre Announced

Chris Jenkins plays ‘Jake’, and along with ‘Chet’, played by David Leopold, pursues Pete and Dusty to prevent them from carrying out the sabotage they plan. Again, both actors work well together and portray a different kind of friendship.

Grace Osborn plays ‘Frances’, the only female role that is a tom-boy character. Frances also brings a comedic element, but this character has a more vulnerable side that Osborn explores in as much depth as time allows.

‘The Burnt Part Boys’ music is by Chris Miller and lyrics are by Nathan Tysen, the score is generally uplifting, while taking a sombre tone where it needs to. The harmonies from the cast are quite delightful and I could have listened to some of the songs over and over again. ‘The Burnt Part’, ‘Climbing Song’ and ‘Sunrise’ were particular favourites, and sounded wonderful under the Musical Direction of Nick Barstow.

The staging is understated spectacular, the small stage of the Park 90 studio is almost completely bare throughout, yet we trek through forests, traverse river Rapids and tumble down forgotten mine shafts. The perfectly choreographed cast make it all seem so real and leave you perched on the edge of your seat during the more dramatic parts of the expedition.

       

‘The Burnt Part Boys’ is a beautiful musical, which ties together friendship, brotherly love and a desire to do the right thing. A remarkable cast under the direction of Matthew Iliffe makes ‘The Burnt Part Boys’ the perfect musical chosen to be the first at The Park Theatre.

Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

matt Henry Joins Annie Get Your Gun
News

Olivier Award-Winning Star Matt Henry Joins Cast of “Annie Get Your Gun” Concert at London Palladium

Leaves of Glass The Park Theatre
News

New Spring 2023 productions at Park Theatre Announced

Winners Curse Cast
News

Full Cast Announced for Winner’s Curse at Park Theatre

Philip Lee Rumpelstiltskin and Lucy Whitney the King credit Bill Knight
Reviews

Review: Charles Court Opera’s Rumpelstiltskin at Park Theatre

The Beach House at Park Theatre
News

The Beach House will premiere at Park Theatre

The Elephant Song Park Theatre
News

The Elephant Song to Open at Park Theatre

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Barbara Keeley Shadow Arts Minister

Labour’s Barbara Keeley warns it could be the final curtain for theatres left exposed by the cost-of-living crisis

AK Golding and Sasha Clarke

Interview: AK Golding and Sasha Clarke on The Messiah Complex at VAULT Festival

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • Vault Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly