LondonTheatre1

London Theatre: Tickets Reviews | News | West End | Off-West End | UK Touring Productions

Book Tickets for London Shows
  • Home
  • Top Selling Shows
    • Musicals
    • & Juliet
    • Anything Goes
    • Back To The Future
    • Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
    • Come From Away
    • Dear Evan Hansen
    • Dirty Dancing
    • Frozen The Musical
    • Heathers
    • Jersey Boys
    • Les Miserables
    • Mamma Mia
    • Mary Poppins
    • Matilda the Musical
    • My Fair Lady
    • Moulin Rouge
    • Only Fools and Horses
    • Pretty Woman the Musical
    • Six the Musical
    • The Book of Mormon
    • The Drifters Girl
    • The Lion King
    • The Phantom of the Opera
    • Tina the Musical
    • Wicked
    • Popular Plays in London
      • A Christmas Carol
      • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
      • The Mousetrap
      • The Woman in Black
      • Witness for the Prosecution
    • London Theatres
      • Seating Plans
      • Adelphi Theatre
      • Ambassadors Theatre
      • Duke of York’s Theatre
      • Fortune Theatre
      • Harold Pinter Theatre
      • Lyceum Theatre
      • New Wimbledon Theatre
      • New Wimbledon Theatre Studio
      • Piccadilly Theatre
      • Richmond Theatre
      • Trafalgar Theatre
  • News
    • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • ATG Tickets
    • Alexandra Theatre
    • Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
    • Brighton Theatre Royal
    • Bristol Hippodrome
      • Bristol Theatre Seating Plan
    • Edinburgh Playhouse
    • Glasgow Theatre Royal
    • Grand Opera House York
    • King’s Theatre Glasgow
    • Kit Kat Club London
    • Leas Cliff Hall
    • Liverpool Empire
    • Manchester Opera House
    • Manchester Palace Theatre
    • Milton Keynes Theatre
    • New Theatre Oxford
    • New Victoria Theatre Woking
    • New Wimbledon Theatre
    • New Wimbledon Theatre Studio
    • Princess Theatre Torquay
    • Regent Theatre Stoke
    • Rhoda McGaw Theatre
    • Richmond Theatre
    • Stockton Globe
    • Sunderland Empire
    • Swansea Arena
    • Victoria Hall Hanley Stoke
  • Dancewear
  • Newsletter
Home » Reviews » Kiki’s Delivery Service at Southwark Playhouse – Review

Kiki’s Delivery Service at Southwark Playhouse – Review

December 22, 2016 Last updated: December 22, 2016 12:35 am By Tori Jo Lau

Tom Greaves, Anna Leong Brophy, Alice Hewkin
Tom Greaves, Anna Leong Brophy, Alice Hewkin – Photo by Richard Davenport

Kiki’s Delivery Service is most commonly known as a 1989 animated film produced by the acclaimed Studio Ghibli, which was an adaptation of the 1985 novel by Eiko Kadono. The novel has now been adapted again as a play by Jessica Sian at Southwark Playhouse, directed by Kate Hewitt. Having previously seen the Southwark Playhouse’s excellent production of Howl’s Moving Castle, another novel previously given the Studio Ghibli treatment, expectations were high for this production.

The plot is straightforward enough, a 13-year-old which is leaving home to make a life for herself in a new town, and is accompanied by her talking cat, Jiji. Kiki’s magic seems limited to being able to fly and talk to animals, but the story itself isn’t actually about witches or magic, as Kiki’s journey is all about finding your own path in life and making good connections with other people.

And what a delightful journey it is. The small cast of six actors are outstanding – all of them take on multiple characters with fast changes and strong personalities, apart from Alice Hewkin who plays Kiki only. She’s a very sweet likeable character, and when she messes up you genuinely care for her.

But let’s be honest here, the star of the show is Jiji, the talking cat. He is played by actor and puppeteer Matthew Forbes, who brings Jiji’s personality to life both in puppet and in his own body. There’s a marvelous short moment when the puppet is moved away from him and Forbes remains in character, clearly fretting about what’s about to happen to ‘him’. Jiji also somewhat interacts with the audience, which is delightful.

The space is beautifully used with great lighting effects (snow and rain with an animated look) and clever props. The look and feel are clearly inspired by the film version, which makes sense as Kiki’s black dress and red bow has become iconic and can be seen as cosplay all over the world.

In a time when there is a lot of discussion about whitewashing in the industry, it was great to see such a talented and diverse cast. I enjoyed watching every single one of them perform, they were on sparkling form and seemed to be having as good a time as us in the audience.

All in all a magical evening, with a great story brought to life on stage in a clever, engaging and charming manner, not one to miss if you’re looking for a family friendly show to see over Christmas. Kiki’s Delivery Service is showing until January 8th.

5 Star Rating

Review by Tori Jo Lau

Kiki is a 13-year-old witch and, as tradition dictates, it is time for her to leave home and family to make a new life for herself. Equipped with her ability to fly and accompanied by Jiji, her faithful feline companion, she sets out to find a place where she can use her powers for the greater good and that one day she might call home.

A magical tale of growing up and finding acceptance, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a story for everyone aged 7 and up.

Kiki’s Delivery Service is adapted from the bestselling and award-winning book by Japanese author Eiko Kadono. The book has previously been adapted into a live action film and most notably an award-winning animation by Studio Ghibli.

Southwark Playhouse presents the world premiere of
KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE
Based on the book by Eiko Kadono.
Adapted for the stage by Jessica Siân. Directed by Kate Hewitt.
Thursday 8 December 2016 – Sunday 8 January 2017
http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/

Sister Act Tickets

The Throne by John Goldsmith at Charing Cross Theatre

It is 2002 – another Royal Jubilee year, and HRH (Mary Roscoe) is due to open a new Science wing in a 'sink' comprehensive where Dr Derek Jones … [Read More...]

Review of Medico – Museum of Comedy

Dr Anna LaRosa (Dr Stefania Licari) has a lot to say. Just as well, as she’s the only one on stage in this medical comedy, which largely draws its … [Read More...]

Invisible: Written and performed by Nikhil Parmar

Nikhil Parmar’s one-man show, originally written as a TV pilot, manages to touch on a wide range of themes from Islamophobia to modern fatherhood with … [Read More...]

Figure presents a semi-staged performance of Handel’s Serse

Handel’s 1738 opera Serse (or Xerxes) is an exploration of power, love and human frailty. King Serse falls in love with the voice of his brother … [Read More...]

Lea Salonga Dream Again, Royal Albert Hall

Lea Salonga has her fans. She also has some superfans, the ones who yell, “I love you Lea!” at almost every opportunity. If that wasn’t enough, there … [Read More...]

London Theatre 1 and London Theatre One are Registered Trademarks Copyright 2022 www.LondonTheatre1.com
By using our website you’re confirming that you’re happy to accept our use of cookies.
Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising - About Us - Newsletter - Contact Us

As an Amazon Associate our website receives a commission from qualifying purchases from Amazon.