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Come for the venue, leave with a hilarious and heart-warming story of love, family and survival through change and challenge.Summary
Rating
Unmissable!
I can’t visit Park Theatre without noting it’s friendly, buzzing and excitingly cool atmosphere and the fact I’m never disappointed by the stories that unfold here. My plus one noted couples visit here just for a date, as is the popularity for its hospitality.
Kim’s Convenience is the brilliantly funny story of a day in the life of a Korean-owned convenience store in downtown Toronto. It’s run by Mr Kim, who’s offered a choice which he may not be able to refuse. You may be familiar with the title from the hugely popular Netflix show of the same name. Well, this is where it all began. The play’s first performance was in 2011 at the Toronto Fringe Festival and is written by Ins Choi, who originally played family son Jung, but now plays Mr Kim.
With themes of loss, unfulfilled familial expectation, misunderstandings and persevering through adversity, it may be hard to believe that this play has a sitcom feel and is genuinely hilarious, it absolutely has the whole audience laughing out loud. The wonderfully authentic performances are exceptional across the board with perfect comic timing and heart-wrenching moments to catch you off guard. The character of Mr Kim is just so real and charismatic that you can’t help but instantly be fond of him. He has so many issues and oh boy does he not hold back. There are numerous moments in the expertly written script when you think ‘Did he really just say that?’ In one scene he emits a stream of highly small-minded stereotyping about his customers – unmalicious in their absurdity – but achingly funny.
Choi wrote the play as a love letter to his parents, the first generation of immigrants to leave Korea for a new chapter in Canada. He draws on his own experience of growing up in and around these convenience stores as they grappled with the changing neighbourhoods with the area building and growing. As an east Asian actor, he grew tired of not landing roles and decided to write his own story. His portrayal as this hard-working, dignified and no holds barred man is a beautiful insight into the world his parents clearly tried their hardest to build. Of course, the children, unlike their parents, are growing up in Canada and have differing ideas about their future, so more than a little friction ensues. The main clashes are with photographer daughter Janet (played perfectly by Jennifer Kim) but their loving relationship is delightfully drawn.
The director Esther Jun, who played Janet in the 2011 version, brings the story to life in a simple but beautiful way amongst a bright and vibrant store setting packed with Lays, Cheetos and endless other goods to recreate the shop. In a scene between mother and son, Umma and Jung – movingly portrayed by Namju Go and Brian Law – we’re taken out of the shop via a simple spotlight and Jung reveals a yet unknown huge secret. This is so beautifully, emotionally and tenderly played out. Miles Mitchell, who masterfully plays four characters outside of the family is also a joy to watch.
Come for this fantastic fringe venue and leave with an hilarious, heart-warming story of love, family and survival through change and challenge. My face is aching from beaming back at the actors and I want to watch the whole thing all over again.
Written by: Ins Choi
Directed by: Esther Jun
Produced by: Adam Blanshay Productions
Design by: Mona Camille
Kim’s Convenience plays at Park Theatre until 10 February. Further information and bookings can be found here.
