FIRST LOOK INSIDE REHEARSAL ROOM FOR DRIFTWOOD AT THE RSC AND KILN THEATRE
DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE
Rehearsal images have been released for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), in association with Kiln Theatre, for the world premiere of Driftwood, a powerful new play by Martina Laird.
The production will run at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 17 April to Saturday 30 May 2026, before transferring to Kiln Theatre in London from Wednesday 3 June. There will be a press night at The Other Place on Tuesday 28 April and a London press night on Tuesday 9 June.
The full cast comprises: Shane David-Joseph (Seldom); Ziggy Heath (Tom); Martins Imhangbe (Diamond); Roger Ringrose (Mansion); Ellen Thomas (Pearl); and Cat White (Ruby).
Set in 1950s colonial Trinidad on the brink of political independence, Driftwood is a richly atmospheric exploration of self-determination, family and belonging, capturing a community alive with change, tension and possibility.
The creative team includes: Director Justin Audibert; Set and Costume Designer Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey; Lighting Designer Simon Spencer; Composer Christella Litras; Sound Designer Tony Gayle; Movement Director Kloé Dean; Dramaturg Sebastian Born; Casting Director Matthew Dewsbury CDG
'dis is my home. My whole life. My history here. And de only future I go have is here.'
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.
Driftwood is the first play by Martina Laird. Directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Justin Audibert and set in 1950s Caribbean, it’s a deeply evocative story of self-determination and the search for family and belonging.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
DRIFTWOOD
By Martina Laird
Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Kiln Theatre
The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon
17 April – 30 May 2026
Press Night: Tuesday 28 April 2026
Creative Team Talk: Thursday 23 April
Post show talk: Thursday 7 May
Captioned performances: Saturday 9 May, 1.30pm and Friday 29 May, 7.30pm
Chilled and handheld captioned performance: Thursday 14 May, 1.30pm
Audio described performances with pre-show touch tour: Saturday 16 May, 1.30pm and Friday 22 May, 7.30pm
Chilled performance: Saturday 23 May, 1.30pm
Kiln Theatre
3 June – 4 July 2026
Press Night: Tuesday 9 June
Audio Described: Thursday 25 June, 7.30pm preceded by a Touch Tour
Captioned: Thursday 2 July, 7.30pm
Relaxed: Saturday 27 June, 2.30pm
Alcohol Free: Tuesday 30 June, 7.30pm
Post show Q&A: Friday 19 June, 7.30pm
KILN THEATRE
Your stories live here
“A marvellous community reality…alive with challenge and promise.” James Baldwin
Kiln Theatre is the creative and cultural hub of Kilburn in Brent, a uniquely diverse area of London where over 140 languages are spoken.
We are a place of creative transformation and artistic ambition – an empowering space where community connection sits at the centre of everything we do. From the heart of Kilburn, we stage an internationally acclaimed programme of UK premieres and dynamic revivals - real human stories that entertain, fire the imagination and reflect the world around us.
As Tricycle and now Kiln, we are proud of our artistic history and passionate about our future. We nurture talent and develop pathways whilst celebrating diversity and removing barriers – driving world-class theatre and opening up opportunities for who gets to make it.
“Kiln Theatre has revitalised the cultural life of Brent and brings world-class theatre at an affordable price to people from all walks of life.” Zadie Smith
We believe that theatre can be for anyone, and we are committed to nurturing the talent of young people and providing a platform for their voices to be heard whilst working with older people to create a thriving community around our theatre.
A neighbourhood venue shaping national conversation. Our doors are open to all, and your stories live here.
“I wanted to say thank you for creating the most diverse theatre I have been to. In terms of race, culture, class, age, everything – not only in the selection of shows and actors, but in the audience.”
Audience member
Artistic Director/CEO: Amit Sharma | Executive Director: Iain Goosey
www.KilnTheatre.com
@KilnTheatre
Charity No. 276892
KilnTheatre.com
The RSC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England
The work of the RSC is supported by the Culture Recovery Fund
The RSC is generously supported by RSC America
The work of the RSC is generously supported by Backstage Trust
With thanks to Season Supporter Charles Holloway OBE
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
New Work at the RSC is generously supported by Hawthornden Foundation and The Drue and H.J. Heinz II Charitable Trust
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a leading global theatre company that sparks local, national and international conversations that build connections, create opportunities and bring joy.
We passionately believe that great storytelling can change the world, and that theatre offers its own unique form of storytelling: it’s live and shared, and transforms a group of strangers into audiences who, together, experience a story come to life in front of their eyes.
We collaborate with the most exciting artists to tell the stories of our time, and through a range of programmes we nurture the talent of the future.
We perform on three stages in our home in Stratford-upon-Avon, in London and in communities and schools across the country and around the world.
Our transformative Creative Learning and Engagement programmes reach over half a million young people each year.
Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk
