Review: KIMBERLY AKIMBO, Hampstead Theatre
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Arriving from Broadway, with five Tony awards nestled in its hand luggage, Kimberly Akimbo has undoubtedly been one of the most anticipated London transfers in recent years.
It’s easy to see why it became such a fan favourite across the pond. Composer Jeanine Tesori - known for Shrek the Musical, Fun Home and Violet - has scored yet another uplifting, feel-good show, with her trademark understated, yet powerful, songwriting.
The musical follows Kimberly Levaco (played by Maria Friedman) as she confronts a life-limiting disease that sees her age “four to five times faster” than others. She may appear to be in her 60s but this teenager is grappling with the same high school dramas and family crises as anybody else.
The plot mostly centres around Kimberly’s relationships with those around her. There is classroom crush Seth (Gilli Jones), who lives for anagrams, her small circle of friends, her dysfunctional parents, and her eccentric aunt Debra (Alice Fearn).
Kimberly wants to squeeze every last drop out of the time she has in front of her - and, to her credit, Friedman really makes you believe in her, giving an enjoyable performance under Michael Longhurst’s direction.
But it is Fearn who steals every scene as Debra. A powerhouse, Fearn is naturally funny and sets out her stalls early in Act I with highlight number, ‘Better’. The character brings a real energy to some scenes which can occasionally feel a bit meandering in pace.
Although David Lindsay-Abaire’s book is fun and full of heart, the story lacks any real jeopardy to keep audiences truly invested for the duration. You feel for Kimberly without ever really fearing for Kimberly.
It is a small company but everybody pulls their weight and enjoys moments in the spotlight. Peter Hannah and Niamh Perry complement one another well as Kimberly’s parents Buddy and Pattie, with ‘Hello, Baby’ (and its reprises) a particularly enjoyable, almost Sondheimesque, number.
The ensemble sparkles alongside stalwarts Friedman and Fearn, with Sara Hajizadeh proving a highlight as Teresa, as well as Ronav Jain (Aaron) also standing out in their professional stage debut.
But perhaps the true star of this production is Soutra Gilmour’s design. Split across three levels, with multiple sets brought to life by a revolve, Kimberly Akimbo’s design is a triumph.
Tesori’s show is fun, heartwarming and justifies its transfer to London’s Hampstead Theatre. Whether it can gain enough momentum to move on to the West End remains to be seen but, for now, it is absolutely worth enjoying it for what it is.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Tom Ambrose
Kimberly Akimbo plays at Hampstead Theatre until 7 November, with further information here.
