Benedict Lombe's play "Shifters" is a time-warping romance detailing the first love story of Des and Dre, two Londoners. The play, which debuted Off-West End in February 2024 at the Bush Theatre, quickly moved to the Duke of York's Theatre on the West End and is now playing at New York's Cherry Lane Theatre as of July 15. It garnered significant accolades, including two Laurence Olivier Awards in 2025 for Best New Play and Best Actress.
The narrative of "Shifters" is non-chronological, bouncing between vignettes of Des (Heather Agyepong) and Dre (Daniel Ezra) from their teenage years (16) to their early adulthood (32). The story begins at a funeral, where the ex-lovers reconnect. It then weaves through their high school friendship, the development of their romance, their separation as Des pursues art away from London while Dre remains, and their eventual reunion in their twenties for a "whirlwind romance." Another art opportunity pulls Des away again, leading to their ultimate coming together at Dre's grandmother's funeral, a pivotal event that forces them to confront their shared past.
Heather Agyepong plays Des, a British-Congolese woman from a middle-class background whose father is a neurologist and whose mother passed away from a brain disease. Daniel Ezra portrays Dre, a Nigerian-British boy. Agyepong, who has been with the production through its various iterations, was praised for her ability to portray different versions of her character across various ages, earning an Olivier nomination. The play is described as a "romantic character study" about how memory influences and distorts perceptions, and the challenges of communication within a relationship. It explores themes of young love, brokenness, healing, and how shared history can offer both refuge and require confronting past selves.
Lynette Linton directed the production, and Shelley Maxwell served as movement director, helping Agyepong navigate the rapid temporal shifts. Lombe, a Congolese-British playwright, also received an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play, becoming the first Black British woman to be nominated in that category. The play is praised for its universal themes of love and memory, as well as its nuanced portrayal of the Black experience, addressing elements like grief and identity, with critics noting its "giddy kisses and real heart."
