Winner of the 2024 Papatango New Writing Prize, Hannah Doran’s The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights slices through the American Dream with surgical precision. Set in the back room of a struggling New York butcher shop, this gripping new drama is a masterclass in tension, character, and social commentary.
Directed by George Turvey, the production transforms Park Theatre’s Park200 space into an in-the-round experience, complete with stainless steel benches and hanging carcasses that make the audience feel like part of the meat market. Throughout the performance, the relentless slicing, chopping and cleaving of meat becomes a visceral rhythm, underscoring the tension.
Cafarelli & Sons is no ordinary butcher. It’s a battleground where livelihoods hang by a thread and survival is anything but guaranteed. Paula (Jackie Clune), the no-nonsense boss, presides over a team of butchers: senior cutter David (Eugene McCoy), apprentices JD (Marcello Cruz) and Billy (Ash Hunter), and temp worker T (Mithra Malek). With only one job available at the end of the season, the knives come out, figuratively and literally, as each character fights for their future.
Doran’s script is a tightly-wound coil of ambition, desperation and betrayal, and one where every character is vivid and richly drawn.  The play explores the brutal realities of immigration, healthcare, and economic inequality in the United States, all through the lens of a meat shop where every cut has consequences. It’s a darkly comic and emotionally raw piece that keeps the audience on tenterhooks, with twists and turns that rival the best reality TV, think The Traitors, but with real knives and higher stakes.
Ash Hunter delivers a standout performance as Billy, a man whose tragic circumstances drive him to morally murky decisions. His portrayal is layered and heartbreaking, especially as the consequences of his actions unfold. Marcello Cruz as JD is equally compelling, winning the audience’s sympathy with charm and vulnerability. His chemistry with Mithra Malek’s T adds a tender counterpoint to the otherwise cutthroat environment. Malek herself is a revelation, bringing depth and quiet strength to a role that could easily be overshadowed. Eugene McCoy’s David adds gravitas, while Jackie Clune’s Paula anchors the chaos with steely resolve.
Turvey’s direction is razor-sharp, using the in-the-round staging to heighten the claustrophobia and intensity. Mona Camille’s design and Bethany Gupwell’s lighting create a visceral atmosphere, while Asaf Zohar’s sound design underscores the tension with subtle menace.
It’s easy to see why The Meat Kings! won the Papatango Prize. Doran’s writing is lean and muscular, carving out complex characters and moral dilemmas with skill. This production is a prime cut of contemporary theatre. If you’re looking for drama that doesn’t mince words, this is the show to see.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
