Peter Hannah (Buddy Levaco), Maria Friedman (Kimberly Levaco), Alice Fearn (Debra), Niamh Perry (Pattie Levaco) in Kimberly Akimbo [Marc Brenner]

KIMBERLY AKIMBO
Hampstead Theatre
4 stars

Kimberly Akimbo, David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s off-the-wall musical (adapted from Lindsay-Abaire’s 2001 play), was a hit in New York; Michael Longhurst’s effervescent production looks set to bring similar joy to London.

Set in 1999 in New Jersey, Kimberly Levaco (Maria Friedman) is about to celebrate her 16th birthday, though a rare genetic condition makes her look 74. She ages four times faster than her classmates and isn’t expected to live much longer. Not surprisingly, she’s something of an outsider at high school.

Her parents Pattie (Niamh Perry) and Buddy (Peter Hannah) are preoccupied – her sofa-bound mother is pregnant and her alcoholic father is chaotic.

Remarkably stoic about her condition, Kimberly feels like the only adult in the family.

When she meets kind Seth (Gilli Jones), an anagram-loving tuba player, at the ice rink, things start to look up.

Then her aunt Debra (a standout Alice Fearn) shows up with a get-rich-quick scam, stirring Kimberly’s family and helping her befriend the teen quartet (Sara Hajizadeh,
Ronav Jain, Robin Simões da Silva and Aviva Tulley), who need costumes for a singing competition.

The show punches above its weight, and the terrific nine-strong cast, plus two swings, each earns their place. The oddball humour and roughness around the edges add to its charm.

It’s cleverly designed, too. Soutra Gilmour’s sleek, split-level revolving set, incorporating the Levacos’ home, an ice rink and school lockers, dominated by a giant clockface, will surely win awards.

Given the grim subject, the show is surprisingly upbeat and the flawed adult characters ensure it never lapses into sentimentality.

Warmly recommended.

Until November 7
hampsteadtheatre.com/