The UK premiere of playwright, screenwriter and actor Ins Choi’s play heads to London’s Park Theatre from the 8th January until the 10th February.
Rehearsal images have now been released for Esther Jun’s production of the play, beginning performances at the Park Theatre next month.
Director Esthe Jun has a long history with Ins Choi’s play, having been cast in the original production, directs Ins Choi (who played Mr Kim’s son in the original stage play) Namju Go, Jennifer Kim, Brian Law and Miles Mitchell.
Mr. Kim works hard to support his wife and children with his Toronto convenience store. As he evaluates his future, he faces both a changing neighbourhood landscape and the gap between his values and those of his Canada-born children. Choi calls Kim’s Convenience his ‘love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who call Canada their home.’
Ins Choi, whose own experiences growing up in a family-run convenience store inspired the play, comments: “My family arrived in Canada in 1975 in search of freedom, with just two hundred dollars, three kids and a lot of hope. My father worked at my uncle’s convenience store by day and went to English speaking language classes by night while my mother took care of me and my two older sisters. This story is my love letter to my parents and to all first generation immigrants who have made the country they have settled in their home.”
Esther Jun says: “I have been involved with Kim’s Convenience in some shape or form for nearly twenty years and to finally bring it to London, where I learned my craft as a director is extra meaningful. There is so much love and history in this story. The simple genius of this play is how it continues to resonate for different cultures and ages at different times in people’s lives. It’s a true generational play with so much heart, truth and laughter. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.”
The creative team behind the production includes: Set & Costume Designer Mona Camille, Lighting Designer Jonathan Chan and Sound Designer and Composer Holly Khan.
To book tickets visit: https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/kims-convenience