Review: Shifters by Benedict Lombe (Theatre)

★★★★★

Shifters written by Benedict Lombe is a fierce new romance for anyone desperate for a different kind of love story, starring Tosin Cole & Heather Agyepong. 

Lombe’s SHIFTERS is a wonderful and delicate reflection on being loved out loud, impact of grief, progression of time, and how the separation points in a relationship can become wide before it's even started.

Cole & Agyepong are magentic together. A moment that stuck with me is Dre tells Des to stop smiling while looking him with empathy. She goes on to say “You smile when you're happy. You smile when you're sad. And when you're angry and scared and upset you just - keep smiling... like - like you don't think it's safe... to stop. Or something.” And I just crumbled. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, with audience members verbally agreeing with things there were said or not said, cheering, laughing, and crying. 

The play is breathtakingly moving, belly laugh funny and amazing. I can't recall the last time I saw a modern play about romance and just melt. 

Shifters is playing at the Bush Theatre until 30th March 2024