Artistically embarrassing but a hit: Shifters, at Duke of York’s Theatre, reviewed

Shifters has transferred to the West End from the Bush Theatre. It opens at a granny’s funeral attended by the grief-stricken Dre, aged 32. Dre was raised by his ‘Nana’ as he calls her – rhyming it with ‘spanner’ – and he weeps when he realises that his mother has failed to show up. A beautiful young woman arrives unexpectedly. This is Dre’s teenage sweetheart and they exchange gossip over a glass of whisky while rummaging through Nana’s belongings.

The lovebirds met at school where they studied philosophy and outshone all their rivals in the class. After a short relationship they drifted apart during their twenties and now, in their early thirties, they’re ready to settle down. Will they get married? Well, let’s think. The girl’s name is Destiny so it seems possible. Both characters break the fourth wall and share confidences with the audience about their remarkable lives.