If you didn’t get to see this stage production at the beginning of this year in Finsbury Park, don’t hesitate. It’s a great night out – we reviewed the Park Theatre run here.
To go with this second run, the play’s producers will be showcasing local business owners in a brand-new photography exhibition entitled Our Store: Your Story at Riverside Studios. Inspired by Kim’s Convenience, the exhibition will celebrate the vibrant legacy of family-run stores, featuring photography that captures the character of the eclectic family businesses and the heartfelt success stories of their owners. The producers are looking for 10 family-owned store-front businesses in London to showcase in this exhibition. Apply to be part of the exhibition here.
Kim's Convenience: second run at Riverside Studios, with London family business photo exhibition
The award-winning play which inspired the Netflix Comedy is back by popular demand. Following a sell-out season at Park Theatre earlier this year, KIM’S CONVENIENCE will transfer to Riverside Studios for a strictly limited season from 5 SEPTEMBER – 26 OCTOBER 2024.
There’s humour and heart in every aisle…
Now a global smash hit, this hilarious and heartwarming drama about a family-run Korean store that inspired the Netflix phenomenon, is written by and starring Ins Choi, who calls the play his ‘love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who now call Canada their home.’
The comedy drama follows the hilarious and heart-warming tale of a Korean family-run convenience store. In the show Appa grapples with his changing neighbourhood and the growing schism between his first-generation immigrant values and those of his second-generation children.
The play’s producers are also launching a London-wide call out inviting family-owned stores in the capital to come forward to be part of a brand new photography exhibition inspired by the play and Netflix Comedy series, celebrating their vibrant legacy. Positioned in the Riverside Studios foyer and entitled Our Store: Your Story, the set of images which will be taken by theatre, live events and portraiture photographer Shona Louise, will celebrate the character of the eclectic family businesses and heartfelt success stories of their owners. The chosen businesses will also receive a special invite to the gala night celebrations on the 11 September. Submissions can be made via the website link here.
Ins Choi, whose own experiences inspired the play, says: “I’m very excited to return to the UK with this show. Last time we were by a park, this time we’re by the river. I was pleasantly surprised that British audiences resonated so much with my play. I can’t wait to share it with a whole new audience this time, especially with those who couldn’t get a ticket last time.”
Director Esther Jun, who also has a long history with the play, firstly having been cast in the 2011 original production as daughter Janet alongside Ins who played son Jung, returns to direct the Riverside transfer. She adds: “Appa and his family were welcomed with open arms when we were last here and I look forward to re-opening the store for another legion of theatre loving customers. Kim’s is a true generational play with so much heart, truth and laughter. It’s such a gift to see how it continues to resonate for different cultures and ages at different times in people’s lives.”
Adam Blanshay, the show’s Canadian/UK based producer says: “ I am overjoyed to be bringing Mr Kim and his beloved family back to London after being so warmly embraced by audiences earlier in the year. The play’s universal message resounds so deeply, and every audience member leaves the theatre feeling a personal connection to the legacy that encapsulates the Kim family journey. Come laugh, cry, and eat!”
A Kim’s Convenience-inspired kiosk run by Seoul Plaza, a family-owned chain of Korean food stores, will also set up shop in the Riverside Studios foyer. The pop-up will bring an authentic taste of Korea and also Canada with a selection of snacks and drinks as well as kimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and noodles to theatre-goers.
Seoul Plaza’s Dan Suh comments: “As a family business specialising in Korean groceries, we were utterly compelled to support Kim’s Convenience as this story holds much resonance with our own. We are massive fans of the play and TV show and we hope audiences will experience a flavour of Kim’s Convenience and take away some of the show’s groceries which will be on offer, and of course, enjoy the play!”
The play’s Autumn staging in the UK precedes a triumphant homecoming to Toronto’s acclaimed Soulpepper Theatre in January 2025, 14 years after winning the Patron’s Pick award at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival where it premiered. The storyline continues to win many plaudits for its ground-breaking East Asian representation and rare foregrounding of their characters and their stories.
| Cast | |
| Ins Choi | Appa |
| Namju Go | Umma |
| Jennifer Kim | Janet |
| Miles Mitchell | Rich/Mr Lee/Mike/Alex |
| Edward Wu | Jung |
| Creative Team | |
| Ins Choi | Playwright |
| Esther Jun | Director |
| Mona Camille | Set & Costume Designer |
| Jonathan Chan | Lighting Designer |
| Adrienne Quartly | Sound Designer and Composer |
| Reuben Bojang | Company Stage Manager |
| Jinwen Chen | Assistant Stage Manager |
(automatically generated) Read LKL’s review of this event here.