FOR A BRIEF MOMENT I FORGOT I WAS LOOKING AT A SET WITH THE VIBRANT RECREATION OF A CONVENIENCE STORE

By Vartika Chandola ⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Kim’s Convenience, a play by Ins Choi, recently took the stage at Riverside Studios at Hammersmith, offering a fresh take on the beloved Korean-Canadian family story that many know from the popular Netflix series. The play captures the heart and humour of the Kim family as they navigate their day-to-day life running a convenience store in Toronto, but for those who are familiar with the TV adaptation, it’s important to note that the stage version delivers a different experience.

First off, the set was outstanding. Walking into the theatre, the vibrant recreation of a convenience store immediately draws you in. It felt so inclusive and laid-back that, for a brief moment, I forgot I was looking at a set. There’s something wonderfully immersive about how detailed and lived-in the store looked, from the cluttered shelves to the faded signage. It created a real-life atmosphere that made the audience feel like they were stepping into a familiar neighbourhood shop.

The humour of the show was another highlight. Some dialogues were sharp, and the jokes landed with precision—many of them hilariously on-the-nose. Some lines stayed with me long after the performance, a testament to the writing and the impeccable comic timing of the cast. There were moments when the entire audience erupted in laughter, truly enjoying the absurdities and truths of family life and immigrant experiences that the play explores.

However, as much as I loved the set and the comedic beats, the storyline felt somewhat lacking in structure. It seemed to meander at times, lacking a strong narrative arc to take the audience from point A to point B. Without that sense of momentum, it was hard to stay fully engaged with the plot, and it sometimes felt like the story was missing a key element to tie everything together and keep us invested.

It’s also worth noting that for fans of the Netflix show, the play may feel like a more subdued experience. While the show brings the fast-paced, larger-than-life humour to the screen, the stage version tones down some of that fun energy. Watching the story unfold live, you realise the pacing and dynamics shift, creating a slightly different feel, one that is more intimate but perhaps less energetic than its TV counterpart.

That said, the theatre itself is a nice one-time watch. With great acoustics and a comfortable layout, it enhanced the overall experience of the play. The intimate setting worked in favour of the show, helping to bring out the subtler moments of the family’s interactions and struggles.

In conclusion, Kim’s Convenience on stage is an enjoyable, if somewhat different, experience compared to its TV version. While it delivers plenty of laughs and a wonderfully authentic set, the storyline could have used more depth to fully captivate the audience. Nevertheless, it’s worth watching, especially if you appreciate heartfelt family dynamics and the humour that comes with them. Kim’s Convenience is showing at Riverside Studios until Saturday 26 October.

WEBSITE

⭐⭐⭐

Photo Credit: Danny Kaan