Gold Coast review: Kimberly Akimbo: complex bitter-sweet tale

By Douglas Kennedy

Kimberly Akimbo

 by David Lindsay-Abaire

 at the Javeenbah Theatre Company.

Directed by Kaela Gray.

 Features Cassie Baan, Sam Modra, Rory Schiele, Naomi Thompson, Maegan Weir

 Season ends September 14. For bookings info@javeenbah.org.au

David Lindsay-Abaire’s Kimberly Akimbo (Naomi Thompson) is a complex bitter-sweet tale with laughs generated by the fate of a 16-year-old who is dying. That causes

Kimberly – known as Kim – who has a condition like progeria to age at four and a half times as fast as normal. The result is that Kim , who is 16, is locked in the body of an elderly woman. This leaves her along and isolated until school friend Jeff (Sam Modra) – who is also a misfit- takes an interest in her.

To make matters more complex Kim belongs to a dysfunctional family including mum Patty (Cassie Baan), Dad (Rory Schiele) and Aunty Debra (Megan Weir).

The danger here is that we spend so much time chuckling at the stupidity of the family that we can lose contact with Kim’s tragic prognosis.

Kim is quiet and slightly sad – well played by Naimi Thompson -  while it is left to the family to create all the mayhem. Cassie Baan as the larger than life Aunty Debra steals much of the show in a sub-plot am not about to spoil.

My one observation is that more needs to be done to demonstrate that Kim is actually 16 years old and not 60-plus.

 Kimberly Akimbo Special Performances.

The Javeenbah Theatre Company has announced two special performances as part of its season of the award-winning play Kimberly Akimbo by David Lindsay-Abaire.

The play, set in 1999, tells the story of 16-year-old Kimberly who is ageing at a rate of four times the normal rate.

The result is that while Kimberly – known as Kim – is a typical schoolgirl teen, she looks more than 60 and her condition is in decline.

Throw in a dysfunctional family – Mum, Dad and crazy Aunt Debra – and you have a bitter-sweet tale full of dark humour.

To reach as diverse an audience as possible Javeenbah will stage an Auslan-signed performance on September 7 and a relaxed-toned down matinee on September 14.

Auslan is a sign language used by nearly all of the Australian deaf community, while the toned-down version of the play is designed to reach people with special needs.

Javeenbah publicist Sophie Lawson says the performances are part of Javeenbah’s commitment to making theatre accessible for all.

“A relaxed performance is a show catered to those with extra sensory needs such as people with ASD, ADHD, or prefer a toned-down performance,” says Sophie.

The show is suitable for younger audiences of 16+ but does touch on mature themes and has some mild course language.

Kimberly Akimbo continues until September 14 with bookings @javeenbah.org.au or box office 0417004466

ENDS