The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

The Burnt Part Boys at Park Theatre

The Burnt Part Boys at Park Theatre | Theatre review
12 August 2016
Molly Lempriere
Avatar
Molly Lempriere
12 August 2016

Making its European debut at the Park Theatre, Mariana Elders The Burnt Part Boys is a new kind of musical. Gone are the cheesy dance scenes, to be replaced instead with effective physical theatre and folk music. Set in the small town of Pickaway in West Virginia, the story follows a group of children whose lives were changed forever ten years previously when a mining accident killed 12 men, including their fathers. Now the mine is to be reopened, and we watch as one boy in particular, Pete (Joseph Peacock), struggles with this.

As the director Matthew Iliffe himself admits, putting on a musical is no easy feat, especially in Park 90. The Burnt Part Boys is the first to be performed in the small theatre in Finsbury Park; the in-the-round format allowing everyone in the audience to be close to the action. The set, designed by Rachel Wingate, is minimal, the decoration coming mainly from the atmospheric drapings and lights that hang from the ceiling, like in a mine. Similarly, there are few props, with the set predominantly relying on rope and chairs, allowing a physical aspect to the play. Instead of rafts there is much pushing and pulling, which is extremely effective.

The music is probably the real star of the show, combining folk, bluegrass and country and fitting perfectly with the West Virginia setting. Written by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen, the songs depict the overshadowing presence of the mines in this community, the simple lines becoming compounded through rounds and harmony. Whilst not quite all the singing was in time, the style and its worldwide reception proves that this is something different, and highlights the change that is happening in musicals.

This is a performance that builds throughout, creating a real connection with the characters and their relationships. Everyone is solid in their roles, though some of the accents slipped now and then. The uncertainty of the characters was very well captured, especially by Chris Jenkins in the role of Jack, Pete’s older brother, clearly frustrated in the paternal role forced upon him. Supporting him as his best mate was Chet, played by David Leopold, amusing and intense by turns, creating a duo that is mirrored and contrasted by the younger boys Pete and Dusty.

Burnt Part Boys is a tale of youthful discovery and redemption. The company makes great use of a small stage and with lovely but dark music, this is definitely worth seeing.

★★★★★

Molly Lempriere
Photo: Sacha Queiroz

The Burnt Part Boys is at Park Theatre from 10th August until 3rd September, for further information or to book visit here.

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre

★★★★★
Jim Compton-Hall
Read More

My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

“When you’re presented with different dilemmas in life, you respond accordingly”: Debbie Kurup on The Cher Show

Mae Trumata
Read More

2:22 A Ghost Story at Criterion Theatre

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

The House of Shades at Almeida Theatre

★★★★★
Csilla Tornallyay
Read More

Grease at Dominion Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

House of Ife at Bush Theatre

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

Banter Jar at Lion & Unicorn Theatre: “An authentic and timely one-woman show”

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Molly Lempriere

The Burnt Part Boys

★★★★★

Dates

10th August - 3rd September 2016

Price

£14.50-£18

Links & directions

WebsiteMap

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Lykke Li – EYEYE
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Conversations with Friends
    ★★★★★
    other
  • Feminist Riposte (Riposte Féministe)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • RMN
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Decision to Leave (Heojil Kyolshim)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Decision to Leave (Heojil Kyolshim)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Boy from Heaven (Walad Min Al Janna)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Emergency
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Men
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Triangle of Sadness
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre | Theatre review
Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story at the Shaw Theatre | Theatre review