The Authenticator tickets
About The Authenticator
Don’t miss The Authenticator, Winsome Pinnock’s thought-provoking psychological thriller about the meaning of inheritance and the secrets we all harbour. Book The Authenticator tickets on TodayTix.
The Authenticator is a play about Fenella Harford, who inherits her family’s estate and uncovers a suspicious stash of old journals that hold disturbing secrets within them. She reaches out to Marva, a young academic, for help determining their authenticity. When Marva arrives on the scene alongside her mentor, Abi, what initially was a simple job of confirming the journals becomes something far more dangerous.
The journals unveil that the Harford family has strong connections to slavery and brutal colonial violence, forcing the women to face not only the past, but also the present. The play is tense, unsettling, and somehow witty, turning an academic venture into a spooky investigation of power dynamics and history. The Authenticator boasts a formidable cast, including Rakie Ayola, Sylvestra Le Touzel, and Cherrelle Skeete.
The Authenticator cast and creative team
By: Winsome Pinnock
Director: Miranda Cromwell
Venue
Dorfman Theatre
Directions
Location: National
Railway station: Waterloo
Bus numbers: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68
Car park: National Theatre basement, accessed from Upper Ground Opening times: 6am to 12 midnight (Mon – Fri) and 7am to 12 midnight (Sat and Sun)
Directions from tube: The National Theatre is on the South Bank, just minutes from Covent Garden, the West End and Waterloo. The main entrance is on the riverside walkway.
More information about The Authenticator
The Authenticator in London brings together playwright Winsome Pinnock with director Miranda Cromwell once more, following their collaboration on Rockets and Blue Lights. The show boasts an incredible creative team, including set designer Jon Bausor, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting designer Aideen Malone, sound designer Tingying Dong, and composer Femi Temowo.
This production expertly combines a thrilling sense of unease with satire and deep, thoughtful questions about history, identity, and colonialism. It prompts its audience to reflect on questions of heritage and what it means to be held accountable for the sins of those who came before us.
This play has a lively performance and manages to blend mystery with wit without taking away from the incredibly important subject matter it is shining a light on. This is a very strong contender for those interested in learning from their theatre as much as being entertained by it.
What to watch for
- Writer Winsome Pinnock was recently the recipient of a Windham-Campbell Literature Prize for a drama.
- Winsome Pinnock adapted Jean Rhys’ short story Let Them Call It Jazz in 1998.
- Director Miranda Cromwell is one of only six women to have won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director.
- Miranda Cromwell is an Artistic Associate at the National Theatre.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Authenticator about?
Don’t miss The Authenticator, a compelling thriller regarding what we inherit, family secrets, and a brutal history as three women navigate one space and its haunted past.
Which theatre is The Authenticator at?
The Authenticator is at London's Dorfman Theatre, which is located at National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX.
How do you get tickets for The Authenticator?
Check the top of this page for current availability on The Authenticator tickets on TodayTix.
Who wrote The Authenticator?
Winsome Pinnock is the playwright.
Who directed The Authenticator?
Miranda Cromwell stages the show.
Is The Authenticator appropriate for kids?
The Authenticator contains mentions of difficult themes such as slavery and racism, and mentions references to sexual violence.
Is The Authenticator good?
The Authenticator is a phenomenal thriller that mixes haunted suspense with deep, contemporary questions. With performances that hit home and Pinnock’s sharp writing, this is a play audiences will not want to miss.
