REVIEW: SHIFTERS @ DUKE OF YORK'S THEATRE

🎭 Shifters

📍  Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4BG                             

🗓 Monday 9th September 2024

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THE PLAY OF THE YEAR

Every now and then a play comes along which just has you transfixed from beginning to end and it's safe to say that SHIFTERS, playing at the Duke of York's Theatre, does just that.

From the very start there's a wonderful intimacy about the production and it is as though you are watching two of your best friends. You almost forget you're in a theatre and the fact that this show achieves such a level of familiarity in a West End venue is an incredible feat.

SHIFTERS has transferred from the Bush Theatre and hasn't lost any of it's realism and closeness in doing so. With just two actors and a minimal set, audience members sit behind the action on the stage as well as in traditional seating which keeps the actual performance space small and keeps everything in close proximity - only enhancing the intimacy of the piece.

Benedict Lombe's writing is pure genius. This is essentially a love story which takes place over 16 years. We meet our characters as they reunite at a funeral and the play flip-flops between present day and past interactions. It does this absolutely seamlessly and without ever confusing the audience.

The way the fourth wall is broken here works exceptionally well, really allowing you into the psyche of the characters. This also draws you in emotionally and you begin to share emotions with both the characters and the rest of the audience.

Lynette Linton's direction never forgets that the audience surrounds the action and simultaneously plays forwards and backwards which is just wondrous. Combined with Neil Austin's clever lighting design, sound by Tony Gayle and music by Xana, this is really a theatrical event like no other.

The use of a movement and intimacy director for the piece rounds off a fantastically effective creative team who each deserve to be applauded for what has been achieved here.

The characters are brought to life by Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole who give two of the best acting performances I have ever seen. Agyepong's performance is deeply rooted in realism and Cole is simply outstanding. The utter believability portrayed by them both was phenomenal. These are actors at the absolute top of their game and it was a genuine privilege to witness them perform together.

I've never experienced a play where the entire audience reacts simultaneously throughout. It's like a huge shared emotion as we gasped, laughed, cheered and ooed in unison. This is because of the intimacy that I've mentioned that really makes you feel like you're living the story yourself.

Creatively wonderful and performed by a powerhouse pair, SHIFTERS is truly something special and is not to be missed. I don't really want to talk about the plot as it's a real journey that should be experienced in real time.

SHIFTERS continues performances at London's Duke of York's Theatre until 12th October so there's still time to catch it. If you only see one play this year then this is the one to see.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.  

CAST LIST:

Heather Agyepong as Des; Tosin Cole as Dre

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 40 minutes, with no interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Themes of loss and abandonment