Every dream has a price.
T is the new summer hire at Cafarelli & Sons, an iconic New York butcher, but life in a messy cutting room isn’t glamorous. Mithra Malek (Romeo + Juliet, Hamlet, Anatomy of a Scandal) plays the newcomer, quickly discovering that no-nonsense boss Paula — Jackie Clune (Motherland, Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy, Billy Elliot: the Musical) — is fighting to hold a struggling business together. When the season ends, someone’s for the chop.
With the American Dream of a better life hanging in the balance, JD (Marcello Cruz, Sweat, Much Ado About Nothing, Alex Rider) and Billy (Ash Hunter, Hamilton, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bridgerton) find themselves pitted against each other, each determined to secure a future. Around them, David (Eugene McCoy, Girl From the North Country, Groundhog Day, Paddington 2) and T are drawn into shifting alliances and fractured loyalties. But how far will they go to survive?
The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights carves into the dark underbelly of America’s anti-immigration policies and the brutal sacrifices that drive the pursuit of prosperity. Winner of the 2024 Papatango New Writing Prize from a record-breaking 1,589 submissions, Hannah Doran’s searing debut play is directed by Papatango’s Artistic Director, George Turvey (Shook, National Tour & Sky Arts), following previous Prize discoveries that have won Olivier, Critics’ Circle and OffWestEnd awards and remounts in 33 countries. ‘Every year the Papatango Prize comes up with a bit of a cracker.’ The Guardian.
We caught up with cast member Marcello Cruz to lean more about the play.
What can you tell me about The Meat Kings?
The Meat Kings takes place in the cutting room of a butchers in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2025. It’s about Identity, Immigration and how we try to prosper (or not) despite the cards we’ve been dealt in life.
The Meat Kings takes place in the cutting room of a butchers in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2025. It’s about Identity, Immigration and how we try to prosper (or not) despite the cards we’ve been dealt in life.
What attracted you to this part?
A few things, mainly — it’s just so relevant at the moment, especially being Latino myself and witnessing everything that is going on in America right now, I really felt personally connected to JD’s story and perspective. And overall just the writing man — it’s just so exciting when you read a great play that’s this well constructed and with such great characters, you just think “Let’s go!”
A few things, mainly — it’s just so relevant at the moment, especially being Latino myself and witnessing everything that is going on in America right now, I really felt personally connected to JD’s story and perspective. And overall just the writing man — it’s just so exciting when you read a great play that’s this well constructed and with such great characters, you just think “Let’s go!”
How do you approach getting into the headspace of a role like this?
At the moment it’s about reminding myself of “Why”. Why is he here? What is he fighting for in this moment, this scene? Mithra (the actress playing T) used the word ‘charge’ in rehearsals last week and I love that too.
At the moment it’s about reminding myself of “Why”. Why is he here? What is he fighting for in this moment, this scene? Mithra (the actress playing T) used the word ‘charge’ in rehearsals last week and I love that too.
The play blends themes including identity, belonging and the pursuit of the American Dream. How does the text balance these themes?
With poignancy and lots and lots of humour. I feel the play is never preachy in any way. It just goes - here’s some characters that carry all these perspectives and themes, “what do you think?”
With poignancy and lots and lots of humour. I feel the play is never preachy in any way. It just goes - here’s some characters that carry all these perspectives and themes, “what do you think?”
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
Depends on the day. But most of the time it’s just about shaking off the day I’ve had and reminding myself to relax, be open and really listen. It usually involves some kind of deep stretching too, as the parts I play are usually pretty physical.
Depends on the day. But most of the time it’s just about shaking off the day I’ve had and reminding myself to relax, be open and really listen. It usually involves some kind of deep stretching too, as the parts I play are usually pretty physical.
How vital is it that companies like Papatango and venues like Park Theatre take a chance on new writing and inspiring stories like this?
I can’t stress the importance of this enough. All the James Grahams, Jack Thornes and Alice Birchs of the world didn’t just suddenly turn up one day fully formed literary stars. We often forget even artists who are now at the top had to start somewhere, had to have someone take a chance on them, and if we take that away we’re in trouble. The arts in this country are revered around the world and these companies and platforms are a vital part of that system.
I can’t stress the importance of this enough. All the James Grahams, Jack Thornes and Alice Birchs of the world didn’t just suddenly turn up one day fully formed literary stars. We often forget even artists who are now at the top had to start somewhere, had to have someone take a chance on them, and if we take that away we’re in trouble. The arts in this country are revered around the world and these companies and platforms are a vital part of that system.
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
War Horse at The National when I was like 13. Just totally compelling and felt transported to another time and place. Still remember it.
War Horse at The National when I was like 13. Just totally compelling and felt transported to another time and place. Still remember it.
What keeps you inspired?
Other creative people. Actors and seeing their performances and process, but also things that have nothing to do with acting.
Other creative people. Actors and seeing their performances and process, but also things that have nothing to do with acting.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing The Meat Kings?
I think Hannah put it perfectly with a line she has given to Paula: “Because we were all the new kids here at one point... There’s another land in our blood, our hearts are half out the door in the countries our families left behind”.
I think Hannah put it perfectly with a line she has given to Paula: “Because we were all the new kids here at one point... There’s another land in our blood, our hearts are half out the door in the countries our families left behind”.
The Meat Kings (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights runs at Park Theatre from 30th October until 29th November 2025. Tickets are available from https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/the-meat-kings/
Post a Comment