In recent times, there has been a surge in webtoon-based dramas, but performances based on novels have noticeably increased on stage. Among them, the musical Ostrich Boys, reborn as a play and musical based on the British bestseller, concluded its grand journey on the 23rd.
The original novel Ostrich Boys rose to prominence as a British bestseller shortly after its publication, and the play Ostrich Boys, adapted by Carl Miller and directed by Tony Graham, was also performed by the National Theater Company of Korea to critical acclaim.
The musical Ostrich Boys depicts the journey of three boys starting from the sudden death of a friend. Frustrated with the formalities of an adult funeral, Blake, Kenny, and Sim take their friend Ross's urn and embark on an adventure to Scotland, where Ross had dreamt of going. The work vividly captures the raw emotions of teenage youth using only drums, bass, and guitar.
The stage direction also attracted attention with its unconventional wire action for a small theater. In a scene where the boys lose their travel money and go bungee jumping, the actor hangs on a wire, adding a fresh twist. They effectively depicted dramatic situations using simple props like chairs and flashlights to represent trains and motorcycles, enhancing the immersion.
The distinct stories and personalities of the four characters are also a strength of the piece. Ross, who loved writing, rational Blake, lovable but clumsy Kenny, and Sim, who acts on anger and a sense of justice. The four boys with different qualities portrayed moments of growth through the honest yet immature emotions of youth.
Furthermore, while the novel is told from Blake's perspective, the musical features the deceased Ross as a narrator who weaves between characters. Although invisible to his friends, Ross's presence, visible only to the audience, enriches the emotional landscape of the play and brings the audience closer to the pain of those left behind.
Despite being a premiere, the audience's response to Ostrich Boys was enthusiastic. Comments like "A story that captures the anxieties of youth," "A time to reflect on my own life," and "I want the original cast to return for a reprise" conveyed the resonance of the messages the work delivers.
As the lyric from the performance states, "What fun is life if there's no story?" the musical Ostrich Boys made each audience member reflect on their own 'story' through the journey of the four boys. This stage, which encapsulated the universal emotions of youth, loss, and growth, left a lasting echo even after the performance ended.