The Bush Theatre production of Shifters, Benedict Lombe’s new romance play, will transfer to the West End this summer.
The production, which previously enjoyed a sell-out run at the Bush Theatre, will star Heather Agyepong (School Girls, or The African Mean Girls Play) and Tosin Cole (Supacell, Doctor Who) for a strictly limited season of nine weeks at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London. Directed by BAFTA nominee Lynette Linton (Blues for An Alabama Sky, Clyde’s, August in England) the play will officially open August 21 after beginning performances August 12.
Shifters’ transfer to the Duke of York’s is a ground-breaking moment for Benedict Lombe, who follows in the footsteps of Natasha Gordon (Nine Night) and Yasmin Joseph (J’Ouvert) as only the third Black British female playwright to have her play staged in the history of the West End.
Said Lombe, "Shifters’ transfer is a big moment. Our dreamy, tender, unrepentantly romantic show about two lost souls finding a connection that can't be forgotten was a hit with Bush audiences. Now we get to recreate our magic on a bigger stage! I hope what Shifters does—as well as invite new audiences to fall in love with Des and Dre—is accelerate the pace for the next wave of Black British female playwrights in the West End."
Agyepong added that “shows written by Black British women or plays centering two dark skin leads often don’t reach West End stages, so it really feels like we’re part of a legacy. Our stories in all their nuance and beauty have always mattered but it’s great to be on a bigger platform to allow them to shine a little brighter.”
The west end production will feature set and costume design by Alex Berry, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Tony Gayle, composition by Xana, and movement and intimacy direction by Shelley Maxwell. The production dramaturg is Deirdre O’Halloran, the voice coach is Joel Trill, and casting is by Heather Basten.
Shifters was originally commissioned by Bush Theatre, supported by Jerwood Foundation.
Visit ShiftersthePlay.co.uk.
