“Shifters,” by Congolese-British playwright Benedict Lombe, is a beautiful story that truly makes one believe that we all have a soulmate. There is our first love out there, our young love, who knows every aspect of our lives and has seen us through the roughest, saddest, most challenging, and most joyous times. There may be many years that we are not in this person’s life, but we will always find our way back to them.
We meet the characters of Dre and Des when Dre is at his grandmother’s funeral. From the time the story begins to unfold, you know you are about to experience brilliance, heart, and vulnerability. “Shifters” is an emotional juggernaut that takes you on a journey you will never forget. Dre describes the amusing moments of family at funerals competing for the leftover food and packing their plates. While this is a distraction for him, he is looking at the door for his childhood friend and first love, Des (“short for Destiny”), to arrive.
When she comes in late and says “Hi,” that is when a captivating reveal of their past begins. As they live in the moment of seeing each other again, the playwright also has each character take us into their past by having them say an age and share a memory. I love the way that this beautiful Black sister handles the awkwardness that these two young people faced as they grew up as the only two Black people in their school; both intelligent and members of the debate club.
As the playwright reveals Dre and Des’s delicate, at times aggressive, at times playful interactions, one can see the foundation for a special relationship and bond. Both characters are so well-developed, and it is quite enthralling to experience the detailed way that the playwright takes her audience from the present scenes of them being together now, on the day of his grandmother’s funeral, to flashbacks that reveal two young people who had traumatic childhoods, but fortunately had each other to help them shift through the obstacles that life’s journeys can throw. What each of them experienced — the drama, pain, and the nurturing of their unique bond — is something unforgettable to witness.
Speaking as someone who married my first love and soulmate, I can attest to the fact that loving relationships and bonds can develop in such beautiful ways. As you sit in the audience and watch these characters become vulnerable with each other, support each other, share their traumas and disappointments with each other, and love each other, you will be moved. You will be touched as you realize that they shared their dreams as children and made them come true.
This captivating play stars Heather Agyepong as Des and Daniel Ezra as Dre. Their chemistry on stage; their beautiful accents; their bonding, loving, and caring will inspire and engage in a way that you will cherish.
The play has splendid direction by Lynette Linton. The Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) is also interestingly set up: The stage is in the middle of the room, and the audience is on either side. It makes for a more intimate presentation, more intense at times.
The production has scenic and costume design by Alex Berry, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Tony Gayle, and composer and soundscape design by Xana. It will run through September 13, but you will want to make plans to see it soon, because I think you might want to experience it more than once.
For ticket information, visit cherrylanetheatre.org.
