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★★★½
Earlier this year the play that inspired the hit Netflix show ‘Kim’s Convenience’ had its UK premiere at the Park Theatre, starring none other than playwright Ins Choi as the multifaceted Mr Kim (Appa). Fast forward 8 months and it has found a new home at Riverside Studios for the next 6 weeks, with Esther Jun returning to direct the story about the Kim family and their corner shop. Set in the Regent’s Park neighbourhood of Toronto, the fictional family have run a local convenience store ever since they emigrated to Canada from Korea and this light-hearted comedy about heritage, the differences between first and second-generation immigrant values, and inter-generational pressure to succeed continues to prove why it deserves a space in the London theatre scene.
Set changes and adaptation for a new venue
There have been some changes since the show’s first UK outing, most noticeably in how the set design has been updated for the new performance space. Retaining Mona Camille’s sunny orange interior, as well as the vibrant shelves stocked with products, the store layout has been expanded to fill the entire stage. This modification largely works in the production’s favour, with the shop interior feeling more believable and welcoming face on, but the lack of shopfront visibility makes the movements of the characters feel a little disjointed between scenes. Consequently, there is sometimes a visual delay onstage, which creates minor lulls in the narrative.
The decision to introduce a moveable wall with implied stained glass as a way of separating the family’s church from the shop is much appreciated, providing Mr Kim’s wife (Umma, played by Namju Go) and son Jung (Edward Wu) with a comfortable space to share stories, away from the bold shop setting. This visual design update goes a long way to introducing the audience to Umma’s secret ventures, reconnecting with her son away from her husband.
Character portrayals and family relationships
The family bonds are what makes this play so memorable. The relationship between Appa and Janet (Jennifer Kim) has clearly grown in sincerity, with the headstrong father and equally feisty daughter clashing at the start of the play. Throughout the 75 minute running time, the barriers between the pair are gradually broken down, paving the way for some really beautiful family moments. Whilst the dialogue remains constant, Ins Choi brings a wider range of layers to the character, balancing the tough love approach with more pride and empathy. It is a welcome addition to the material, with the depth and growth in Appa and Janet’s relationship being a standout of the piece.
In contrast, the efforts that are made to highlight the pair’s growth acts to the detriment of the main character’s relationship with his estranged son. Edward Wu offers a very human and endearing performance as Jung, but the father and son’s time together on stage is limited and the short running time holds the relationship back from being fully explored. Whilst this play has a very palatable length, I would have liked to have seen it slightly extended in order to make more room for the reconnection of Jung and Appa.
Natural and laugh-out-loud comedy
What remains consistent is how amusing the writing is. Ins Choi delivers Appa’s lines with brilliant comedic timing, winning over the audience as the highly memorable character. Supported by a brilliant cast, ‘Kim’s Convenience’ continues to showcase a relatable story about family and evolving neighbourhoods, bringing some much needed East Asian representation to a London stage. Performances run at Riverside Studios until 26th October 2024, with tickets available via the venue’s website.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for Kim’s Convenience was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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