Soho Theatre – until 28 June 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
Kieran Hodgson channels his prodigious talent for impressions into a hilarious but heartfelt exploration of how his idea of the American Dream has evolved, and how the country is viewed.
Conversational and self-deprecating, Hodgson is utterly charming as he recounts his big break in the DC blockbuster The Flash. Unfortunately, the stars behaviour buried the film, so Kieran’s key role as “Sandwich Guy” isn’t widely known. Phone calls with his “super-excited” American agent that he isn’t believable as an American lead him to question whether his idea of an American is true today. Growing up with teacher parents who strictly rationed or downright vetoed “American rubbish” in their home, Hodgson describes the mystical allure of American movies and music through his childhood, and how his performance based on this doesn’t ring true in today’s world, so decides to explore how the country is viewed today when the overwhelming output we receive is on social media rather than polished Hollywood PR.
Hodgson brings out the big political guns in his parade of voices from the US’s recent history – quotes from Kennedy, George W and, of course, Trump say more about the social and political climate in the US over time in a few lines than pages of research. Rather than go down the rabbit hole of trying to understand Trump’s outbursts, Hodgson reminds us that Trump is beyond parody and refuses to use his voice – but he keeps creeping in! His throwaway Thatcher impression made people spit out their drinks while a fantastic running joke about his lack of improv skills is the gift that keeps on giving.
Anecdotes about trips to the US with his student friends – who thought they could take a quick drive down to Miami from New York for spring break – and with his husband provide some lovely reflective moments. Hodgson’s story about his visit to the opera in New York captures the brashness, openness and surprising depth of American culture and allows him to let rip with a bonkers New York accent while a visit to an English themed pub (why?) helps him explain the way we view the USA.
An intelligent, thoughtfully written and layered hour of brilliant comedy that is stuffed full of impressions, nostalgia and sharp observations, Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America is unmissable