DRIFTING
Writer/Director Andrew Muir | Designer Bethan Wall | Lighting Designer Rachel E Cleary
PERFORMANCE DATES:
TUE 18 Nov - SAT 22 Nov 2025 - SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE BOROUGH
DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. Set against the backdrop of a coastal town shrouded in sea mist, the play follows a 26-year-old man grappling with the weight of expectation, the pull of home and the dream of escape.
Through surreal encounters, biting dialogue and moments of aching tenderness, Drifting captures the voice of a generation navigating economic precarity, fractured identity and the elusive promise of a better life. With a rich ensemble of characters—family, friends, strangers and ghosts of possibility—this is a story about standing still, stepping forward and the courage it takes to leave.
CAST
Toby Batt - Father / Passenger 3
Olivia McGrath - Stranger / Passenger 5
Trae Walsh - Young Man
Olivia Israel - Arcade Assistant / Ticket Master / Arcade Assistant 2
Phoebe Woodbridge - Mother / Reader
Yarrow Spillane - Girlfriend / Passenger 4
Amirah Abimbola Alabere - Work Colleague / Passenger 1
Lewis Allen - Manager / Passenger 2 / Taxi Driver
PRODUCTION
Writer/Director - Andrew Muir
Set & Costume Designer - Bethan Wall
Lighting Designer - Rachel E Cleary
Production Manager - Joe Prentice
Stage Manager - Chloe Brown
Press & PR - Kevin Wilson Public Relations
Publicity design - Sean Longmore
Publicity design photo - Jimmy Lee Portraits
Production photos - Mark Douet
Rehearsal photos & videographer - Michael-David McKernan
REVIEWS
★★★★ Broadway World
“Drifting captures on stage issues that are animating domestic politics and casts actors from those forgotten places in which the story is set. It is, in a sense, its own morality play, satirising Ardent’s mission whilst also underlining its importance.
It’s not really like anything else in town at the moment.”
★★★★ West End Best Friend
“Drifting succeeds in showing the cost and weight of following one’s passions and the wonder promised beyond, without sacrificing the integrity of those who choose to remain at home. Catch it before it drifts away!”
★★★★ LondonTheatre1
“It’s a work of escapism, and yet it strongly resonated, carefully balancing both sides of the argument as to whether it is better to stay at ‘home’ or leave for a supposedly superior life elsewhere. A nuanced and intriguing production that underlines how we are, in the end, masters of our own destiny, and not merely victims or survivors of circumstances.”
★★★★ LouReviews
“Far from the usual ‘social problem’ work associated with ‘class’, Drifting is an accomplished, provoking and often infuriating play. Keep an eye on Ardent – and this year’s Ardent8 cohort.”
★★★★ ReviewsGate
“a very talented cast who rise to the demands place upon them in quite dazzling fashion.”
Production Photos: Mark Douet
FAQ
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The play follows a 26-year-old man grappling with the weight of expectation, the pull of home, and the dream of escape. Through surreal and sometimes comedic encounters, biting dialogue, and moments of aching tenderness, Drifting captures the voice of a generation navigating economic precarity, fractured identity, and the elusive promise of a better life.
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Southwark Playhouse Borough
77-85 Newington Causeway
London SE1 6BDClosest Tube Station:
Elephant & Castle (Northern Line & Bakerloo Line)
Take the London Southbank University exit.Click link below for map & directions:
https://w3w.co/spicy.nature.slang -
1 hour 25 minutes
No interval and no re-entry.
We strongly advise that you arrive early and take your seats in advance of the start time as there is a no latecomers policy.
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There is no age limit, although the play is not intended for children. We’d recommend 12+
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Both Ardent and the venue follow current government guidelines. At present, there are no restrictions on attending indoor live events.
Although the venue does not require social distancing or mask wearing, we recommend the following:
If you are unwell or think you may have symptoms, please stay home and contact the theatre to let them know you can’t come. Contact them also if symptoms occur after you have seen the show.
Please use your own discretion whether to wear a mask when moving around the cafe/bar and in the theatre.
Should any of the actors fall ill or test positive we will do our best to find an understudy who will go on with a script in hand. If we are unable to find someone, we may have to cancel. If several cast members test positive and it’s no longer possible to continue the production we will let you know and issue a refund.
FUNDERS
This production has been made possible thanks to:
Supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust, The Foyle Foundation, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation, Katie Bradford Arts Trust, Dan’s Force Fund, Ian McKellen, Sean Mathias, Richard Darbourne, Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Ciarán Hinds, Joanna Lumley, Jonathan Pryce, Lorraine Kelly, Mike Leigh, David Harris and John Manuell, Charles Glanville and James Hogan, the Big Give and all those who donated to the Big Give campaign.