Driftwood

'dis is my home. De only home I have. My whole life. My history here. And de only future I go have is here.'September, 1956. As colonial Trinidad marches towards independence, a gentleman's club in downtown Port of Spain is entangled in a different kind of custody battle. Owned by Englishman Mansion, it promises its guests a comfortable environment in which to relax and indulge. But when the impetuous Diamond drifts in, cutting deals and putting lives at risk, the temperature begins to soar: one wrong move and everything could shatter. Martina Laird's debut play Driftwood is a deeply evocative story of self-determination and the search for family and belonging. It was runner-up for the 2024 Verity Bargate Award, and was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, in 2026, before transferring to Kiln Theatre, London, directed by Justin Audibert. 'A bold and blistering exploration of colonialism and capitalism – it's funny, provocative and simply impossible to forget' Anupama Chandrasekhar, Verity Bargate Award judge'So vivid you can smell the heat and taste the sweat… rich, human and full of vigour… Driftwood is a play that captures the imagination and uncovers the past' Anthony Lau, Verity Bargate Award judge