Two actors beside a brightly stocked shop counter in Kim’s Convenience
The shop-counter set in the UK tour of Kim’s Convenience. Photo: Victoria Davies.
Archive note: This article was first published on and last updated on . As it is 573 days old, some information may no longer be current.

The internationally acclaimed production of Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning play that inspired the beloved Netflix series, is coming to the Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th May 2025 and brings heart, humour, and cultural insight to the stage.

Ins Choi’s award-winning comedy-drama explores the life of a Korean-Canadian family running a corner store, as it grapples with themes of family, tradition, identity, and generational change.

James Yi as Appa standing behind a shop counter in a checked shirt and dark waistcoat
James Yi as Appa in Kim’s Convenience at Tacoma Arts Live. Photo: John Ulman.

James Yi Returns as Appa

Leading the cast is James Yi, reprising his role as “Appa,” the fiery and lovable patriarch of the Kim family. Known for his performances in the original CBC/Netflix series, Yi brings deep emotional insight and comedic timing to a character navigating the cultural divide between his immigrant values and his children’s modern Canadian lives.

James Yi said:

“Kim’s Convenience has literally changed my life. This play continues to open new doors for me, like getting to go all the way to the UK to tour the show with an amazing cast and production team! I feel like I’m in a dream that I never want to wake up from.”

Joining him is Caroline Donica as Janet, Appa’s ambitious and spirited daughter, whose evolving identity clashes with the expectations of her traditional father. The two return to the stage with real-life chemistry that lends authenticity to their father-daughter dynamic.

Caroline Donica as Janet looking at a mobile phone behind the shop counter
Caroline Donica as Janet in the UK tour of Kim’s Convenience. Photo: Victoria Davies.

A Story That Resonates Worldwide

Kim’s Convenience first debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2011, where it won Best New Play and the Patron’s Pick award. Its success quickly led to a national tour and later adaptation into the globally popular Netflix series, which ran for five seasons.

The play continues to champion East Asian representation on stage, while offering a universal story of love, community, and personal growth that transcends cultural borders.

Expect a rich tapestry of modern family life filled with laughs, heartfelt moments, and timely reflections on identity and connection.

🎭 Show Information
📅 DatesTuesday 13 – Saturday 17 May 2025
📍 VenueOxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford
🎟️ TicketsFrom £14
📞 Box Office01865 305305
🌐 Book Onlinewww.oxfordplayhouse.com
🕒 Running TimeApprox. 90 minutes, no interval
👤 Recommended Age12+

Don’t Miss It

This production of Kim’s Convenience promises to bring both laughter and emotional resonance to the Oxford stage, a must-see for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Whether you’re looking for a moving night at the theatre or a comedy with depth and relevance, this play delivers.

Book early to avoid disappointment at oxfordplayhouse.com or call 01865 305305.

Appa holding the arms of two kneeling characters inside the colourful corner-shop set
A scene from the 2025 UK tour of Kim’s Convenience. Photo: Victoria Davies.

Kim’s Convenience UK Tour 2025

DatesCityVenue
Wed 12 Mar – Sat 15 Mar 2025LeedsPlayhouse
Mon 17 Mar – Sat 22 Mar 2025DerbyDerby Theatre
Tue 25 Mar – Sat 29 Mar 2025KingstonRose Theatre
Mon 31 Mar – Wed 2 Apr 2025SouthendSouthend Palace
Thu 3 Apr – Sat 5 Apr 2025BrightonCorn Exchange
Tue 8 Apr – Sat 12 Apr 2025ManchesterHOME
Tue 22 Apr – Sat 26 Apr 2025PeterboroughKey Theatre
Tue 29 Apr – Sat 3 May 2025NewcastleNorthern Stage
Tue 6 May – Sat 10 May 2025GlasgowPavilion Theatre
Mon 12 May – Sat 17 May 2025OxfordOxford Playhouse
Mon 19 May – Sat 24 May 2025LeicesterCurve Studio
Tue 27 May – Sat 31 May 2025WarwickWarwick Arts Centre
Tue 3 Jun – Sat 7 Jun 2025IpswichNew Wolsey
Advertisement