Smalltown Boy [Workshop Presentation] @sohoplace review

Written by Liam Arnold for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: We were invited to the workshop in return for feedback on the presentation. This is not a full review.

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Invited press and industry gathered at @sohoplace for a workshop presentation of Smalltown Boy, a new jukebox musical built around the unmistakable sounds of 1980s New Wave. In this early showing, audiences were treated to Act One of the piece in a semi-staged format, offering a first look at the musical’s opening chapter as it continues its development toward a full production.

Set in New York’s East Village in the summer of 1983, the story centres on Simon, a teenage runaway who flees suburban Long Island and finds himself swept into the city’s underground New Wave scene. Among a group of young outsiders forging identities of their own, Simon experiences the heady possibilities of freedom, friendship and first love — all unfolding against the uneasy backdrop of Reagan-era America and the emerging AIDS crisis.

The musical draws from an enviable catalogue of era-defining tracks, including “Tainted Love,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy.” These songs form the backbone of the piece, their synth-driven melancholy and defiant energy capturing the emotional landscape of a generation searching for belonging. Mark Crossland’s orchestrations lean confidently into the New Wave aesthetic, allowing the music to pulse through the storytelling with a sense of nostalgia that feels both playful and poignant.

Under Jonathan O’Boyle’s direction, the focus remains firmly on character and atmosphere. The workshop cast — drawn from a strong pool of West End performers — bring vocal strength and commitment to the material, establishing a convincing ensemble dynamic that evokes the glitter and grit of downtown Manhattan’s nightlife.

Even from this first act alone, the musical hints at an ambitious scope. The piece balances the exuberance of youth culture with the weight of a pivotal moment in queer history, suggesting a narrative that moves between celebration and reflection. The opening act lays promising foundations, introducing a community of characters whose lives intersect through music, love and the universal search for somewhere to call home.

What emerges most clearly from this early glimpse is the sense that Smalltown Boy has the ingredients for something vibrant and affecting. With its evocative setting, strong musical identity and a creative team clearly invested in its future, the show hints at the potential to grow into a heartfelt portrait of identity and belonging as it continues its journey toward the stage.