Review: KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Hampstead Theatre

Many musicals are twee — it is often an inherent part of their charm. They’re frequently ditzy, campy, frivolous and colourful with an insatiable desire to tug at our heartstrings. Few manage to do so quite as sweetly and seemingly effortlessly as this genuinely delightful Broadway transfer penned by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori. It deserves to play to packed houses and win awards (to add to the 5 Tony’s it scooped back in 2023).

We’re in Bergen County, New Jersey, beneath the huge 50ft face of the Colgate clock. It is here that 16 year old Kimberly Levaco (Maria Friedman) lives with her dysfunctional parents Buddy (Peter Hannah) and Pattie (Niamh Perry) who is pregnant and hoping that their second child will NOT be carrying the 1-in-50 million genetic disorder which causes ageing at four times the normal rate.

Soutra Gilmour’s revolving three story house (topped by the aforementioned clock face), manages to incorporate playful, snazzy design elements including school lockers which convert to library shelves and a simply realised but very effective car. And yet even with eight band members on stage at all times (four ranged either side of the central playing area), the stage never feels cramped or confining.

The cast led by Ms Friedman are universally engaging. Four youngsters, Teresa (Sara Hajizadeh), Aaron (Ronav Jain), Martin (Robin Simões da Silva), and Delia (Aviva Tulley) are a close-knit group both harmonically and potentially romantically if they would only work through their sexuality issues. Blended seamlessly into this mix are two catalyst characters: Seth (Gilli Jones fresh from making a considerable impression in Regent’s Park’s Brigadoon) who sees a kindred beautiful soul in Kimberly, and the Levaco’s wayward jailbird cousin Debra (the incomparable Alice Fearn demonstrating deadpan comedy timing par excellence which should put her in the running come awards season).

More than anything, it is the overwhelmingly positive and upbeat energy which emanates from every cast member that elevates this show from mere humdrum fluff, to something altogether more special. It counts for a great deal and makes for an irresistible combination together with catchy songs and the underplaying of serious familial issues which therefore never descend into tedious melodrama.

As Kimberly and Seth set-off in their stolen vehicle for their finale number “Great Adventure”, they represent a notion that anything is possible, irrespective of the odds. With their cast mates joining them on stage in support, there is an irrepressible feel good factor, which encourages us to believe as we leave the theatre, that all will be well with the world. And frankly, right now, I’ll take that sentiment in spades, thank you very much.

Directed with style and finesse by Michael Longhurst, KIMBERLY AKIMBO continues at Hampstead Theatre’s main stage until 7th November and plays a little over 2 hours and 30 minutes with interval.

Kimberly Akimbo Tickets