Southwark Playhouse – until 22 November 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
A Young Man (Trae Walsh) feels stuck in his life and dreams of leaving his quiet hometown every day. He’s 26, graduated from university, living with his parents, and is stuck in a job with little or no prospects, stacking shelves at the supermarket – although his fear of climbing ladders means that he isn’t really meeting his job description.
The town is on the coast, eerily portrayed on Bethan Wall’s set by a scattering of sand and a multipurpose scaffolding pole structure with atmospheric lighting by Rachel E Cleary. The fog (which his Father insists is mist) obstructs the view from the beach, but the young man and his Father wistfully reminisce about the time they caught a fleeting glimpse of an eagle. This symbol of a different, brighter, exciting life is what the young man clings onto, insisting that he is leaving for the city – which horrifies the older generation. The mention of the city provokes comedic responses akin to the reactions of Coronation Street characters when they learn that someone is moving to that there London, and no chance is missed to mention the dead bodies floating down the river. But this frightening, unknown exhilarates the young man, if he could just motivate himself to actually leave.
Throughout the day, he encounters a variety of characters, beginning with a mysterious Stranger (Olivia McGrath) on the beach. She taunts him, encourages him and forces him to answer challenging questions about himself, staying onstage to haunt and observe his progress as today seems a little different, maybe.
The confusion of his parents that he wants to leave is portrayed wonderfully by Toby Batt and Phoebe Woodbridge. Father rails about the safety and certainty of the town and Mother just wants everyone to be nice and perhaps play a board game. Encouraged by his Girlfriend (Yarrow Spillane) to take her lottery winnings and leave, he seeks advice from the enigmatic Arcade Assistant (Olivia Israel) who regales him with an absurdly melodramatic warning of what happens if people ask questions in the city.
Writer and director Andrew Muir’s play is aptly titled as the story drifts through the ebb and flow of the Young Man’s day with each encounter affecting his resolve to leave. The plot and acting often lean into the absurd with inane comments are delivered as if they are prophetical pronouncements by his Father.
The acceptance of their lives by his Work Colleague (Amirah Alabere) and Manager (Lewis Allen) is shown in the funniest scene. Allen’s Manager is 23 and has his life planned – being the big fish in this tiny pond, and having a decent car are his aspirations, and he is happy with that – already giving advice and judgement to his staff like a man decades older.
The Young Man’s attempt to leave is initially scuppered by public transport issues (grounding the play in reality) but a surrealist sequence reveals his fate and an ambiguous ending leaves the young man’s fate hopeful but still drifting at the whim of the surrounding tides of life.
The frustrating cycle of the Young Man’s day and the inner conflict between his ambition and craving for familiar security will resonate with many audience members. Throughout the play, the people who are happy and fulfilled staying in the community where they grew up are not judged harshly. The dilemma of leaving family ties, familiarity and safety for an unknown future, and the financial and social constraints preventing young people from doing so is portrayed stylishly in Drifting. A confident and intriguing play that unfolds in a leisurely but totally engaging manner. A real treat.