Idris Elba Backs "Relatable" West End Love Story: Shifters Premieres
Idris Elba has praised the "relatable" nature of the new West End play *Shifters*, which opened on Wednesday at the Duke of York's Theatre. The *Luther
actor, alongside Love Island host Maya Jama and Mercury Prize and Brit-winning rapper Little Simz, co-produces the play, which transferred from London's Bush Theatre with Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole reprising their roles.
*Shifters*, written by Benedict Lombe, marks the third West End production by a black British woman. The play, which runs for nine weeks until 12 October, is billed as an "epic and universal love story about the enduring power of memory and first love" between characters Des and Dre.
Elba, a staunch supporter of showcasing diverse voices in theatre, told the PA news agency that "talent is talent â black, white or indifferent". He emphasised the importance of getting more people into the theatre to experience new and diverse writing, noting that *Shifters
attempts to "make it as welcoming to different types of people" by exploring a love story that resonates broadly.
Elba, whose own career began in theatre, expressed his hope that young people would be drawn to the play, highlighting the importance of exposing young audiences to live theatre. He lauded the writing, directing, and acting of the production, adding that he felt "really proud" to be a part of it.
*Shifters
follows the journey of two young, gifted, black characters, Des and Dre, who reconnect after years apart, carrying "new secrets and old scars". Lombe shared that the play's director, Lynette Linton, was instrumental in bringing the story to life. Linton, a visionary director in the theatre landscape, recognised the lack of black British love stories in theatre and encouraged Lombe to write a piece addressing this gap.
Linton hopes the current buzz surrounding black storytelling will be "sustained" and that the theatre world will move beyond singular, tokenistic narratives. She believes that *Shifters*, along with other works by diverse voices, is "changing the canon of British theatre" and will be remembered alongside works like Shakespeare.
