The Rom-Com is a nutritiously hard genre to crack, many of the most enjoyable being due to the nostalgia they elicit. Shifters, however, brings the genre bang up to date in this heartbreaking, earnest and funny modern take, which will make you fall in love with the genre all over again.
When Des (Heather Agyepong) and Dre (Tosin Cole) are reunited at Dre’s grandma’s funeral 7 years post breakup and 16 years since they first met, the complexities of their lives intertwine as a journey begins to find out what bought them here, but also what pulled them apart. Finding out there are only a matter of hours until Des must leave town, memories resurface, secrets are found out and truths are told as we wait to find out whether the magnetism of this couple is strong enough to prevail.
The show operates a non-linear narrative so, while their story starts at 32, it actually begins at 16 when Dre is the new kid in town seeking the attention of Des to join the school debate team with her quick off the mark and insightful remarks. The rest of the play is inspired by memories, as the present always finds a way to lead back to the past. This is done expertly, with the writing never feeling forced or cliche, but is instead exciting as further peep holes appears within the relationship witnessed. It is not simply reminiscent but instead immersive as the moment is experienced and littered with the emotions felt at the time.
The writing from Benedict Lombe isn’t gut busting funny in which the audience can feel the build up for the next gag, but is instead deeply human and tender, but also equally hilarious in its tit for tat nature expected from a bickering partnership. The words are also incredibly poetic at times, which can run the risk of distancing the audiences connection to the characters by becoming too abstract. However, this is a powerful motif in the play adding soul and an interesting pacing shift from the duologue.
To extend 16 years in a 100 minute, 1 act play is no easy task, but the writing combined with the powerhouse performances is what ultimately execrates this rollercoaster of emotions. Agyepong is charismatic and engaging as Des, clearly very confident in her character and plays beautifully alongside Cole as Dre. Both the performances are honest, modern and nuanced resulting in a ping pong match of emotions which has the audience laughing one minute, and shading tears the following. Audience reactions were often physical and bold with laughter and gasps a plenty, expertly incited by the genuine sense of chemistry from this returning partnership previously seen at the Bush Theatre.
Where this play really shines is in its commitment to its themes. In the theatre, there was an overwhelming sense of community, a large portion of the audience clearly relating to the black experience portrayed on the stage. Additionally, while not everyone may have experienced what it is like to have love, lost or perhaps never truly lost, the experience of being young and foraging a path in life with an abundance of ‘what if’s’ whirling around your head is universal. They are not caricatures but individuals moulded off the human experience, drawing the audience ever close to their story.
As Shifters embarks on its 9 week run at the Duke of Yorks, it is hoped that this unpredictable and irresistible play sores to success. Authentic is the word which immediately springs to mind, and an incredibly important piece of theatre for those black, British or those just wanting to indulge in romance. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and, if you’re like me, find yourself wondering if a sequel is pending.
Shifters runs at the Duke of York Theatre until the 12th October - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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