Review: Driftwood at The Other Place, RSC

★★★★★

Playing at the RSC’s The Other Place, Driftwood is a vibrant work set in 1950s Trinidad and Tobago. The first play from Martina Laird, the production is directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Justin Audibert, and presents a tale of family, belonging, identity, and the fight for survival.

“As colonial Trinidad advances towards political independence, a downtown Port of Spain gentlemen’s club becomes entangled in a different kind of custody battle. ALMA promises its guests a comfortable environment to relax and indulge. Owned by Englishman Mansion, it's governed by Pearl and coveted by beguiling Ruby. Then Diamond drifts in. His impetuous deal with a corrupt US Marine imperils ALMA, and all their lives are collateral damage. One wrong move and everything could shatter.”

Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey’s exquisitely detailed set design, and colourful and bright costuming, alongside a lively soundtrack, use of patois dialect (Aundrea Fudge), and clever lighting (Simon Spencer) that emulates the sunlight filtering in through the shutters, draws audiences immediately and deeply into this island tale.

A production reflecting the impact of colonialism and Empire, Driftwood stars a small six-person cast who bring to life differing identities but all of whom cross paths in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain. Cat White stars as Ruby, Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ziggy Heath as Tom, Martins Imhangbe as Diamond, Roger Ringrose as Mansion, and Ellen Thomas as Pearl.

Their enthralling performances embody characters with incredibly vivid depth, in particular the strong female roles portrayed by Cat White and Ellen Thomas. Martins Imhangbe brings a raw and captivating strength to the stage. While Shane David-Joseph as the police officer, Seldom, is given much of the production’s comedy moments, in sexual innuendos that are very much befitting of the RSC; home to Shakespeare’s legacy.

These outstanding, intimate performances, paired with Martina Laird’s emotive, humorous and dramatic writing weave a story of race, power, and ultimately a very relatable longing to be loved.

Driftwood runs at The Other Place, until Saturday 30^th May. In association with Kiln Theatre, the production also runs in London from June 2026.

This review was written following a press invite to the production.