The Authenticator – a gripping new play at the National Theatre that reckons with Britain’s colonial past.
Written by Winsome Pinnock and set against the legacy of Britain’s colonial past, the story begins in 1756, when Henry Hartford leaves England for Jamaica. In just seven years, he builds a vast fortune through plantation ownership, before returning home to purchase Hartford House. With wealth rooted in the exploitation of enslaved people, can the past stay buried at Hartford House?
In the present day, Fenella Hartford (Fen) is the last surviving member of the family and the sole owner of the estate. After the death of her brother, she uncovers a series of diaries written by her ancestor and hires two authenticators to verify their legitimacy. What begins as a professional exercise soon evolves into something far more personal.
Over a series of days, Fen, Marva and Abi begin to peel back layers of history (and of themselves). Despite vastly different upbringings, they find moments of connection. Fen has lived a life shaped by wealth and white privilege, fully aware that her ancestors listed enslaved people as livestock. Marva, by contrast, arrives with her own agenda. Having visited the house as a child with her grandfather (once enslaved by the Hartford family), she is seeking answers long denied, tied to letters he wrote that were never acknowledged.
As tensions rise, history is uncovered, challenged, questioned and quietly rewritten when buried truths begin to surface. Fen wrestles with the weight of inherited guilt and a growing desire to make amends by expositing her inherited privilege. Meanwhile, Abi reveals a shared past with Fen at university (one in which she was overlooked and ignored), exposing how privilege operates not only historically, but within living memory.
The discovery of a mysterious Black woman mentioned in the diaries becomes a turning point. Her story, pieced together and “authenticated” forces a reckoning for the three women – although whose version of the truth is ultimately preserved remains an open question.
Sylvestra Le Touzel delivers a standout performance as Fen, bringing sharp comic timing and a commanding presence to the stage, with authority and biting humour. Her portrayal balances authority with vulnerability, driving the play’s brisk ninety-minute pace.
Cherrelle Skeete brings warmth and energy to Marva, with a natural, youthful wit that provides both levity and emotional grounding. Her chemistry with Fen adds depth to their evolving relationship.
As Abi, Rakie Ayola undertakes one of the play’s most complex journeys. Much of her conflict is internal, navigating the uncomfortable reality of her own family history, positioned between privilege and oppression. It’s a quietly powerful performance that lingers.
The set design by Jon Bausor is a visual highlight. A striking jigsaw of moving pieces that transform seamlessly to reveal different rooms of Hartford House. The transitions themselves feel like part of the storytelling, reflecting the fragmented nature of history and memory.
The Authenticator is an intelligent, compelling exploration of race, privilege and historical accountability. It asks difficult questions about who gets to tell the truth and whether confronting the past is enough to change the future. It is complex, compelling and quietly devastating.
Balancing humour with weighty themes, Winsome Pinnock’s writing is both graceful and incisive, ensuring the play never feels heavy-handed while still delivering emotional impact. It is a ninety-minute slow unravelling of truth, guilt and accountability.
This is an important and timely production and one that challenges, entertains and stays with you long after the final scene. A witty, fast-paced drama that dares to ask who really owns the truth.
★★★★★
West End Wilma
Photos by Marc Brenner
The Authenticator plays at the National Theatre (Dorfman) until 9 May 2026
Upcoming Accessible Performances of The Authenticator at the National Theatre
Audio Described Performance – 18 April 2026
BSL Performances – 23 April and 4 May 2026
Captioned Performances – 27 April and 7 May 2026
Relaxed Performance – 6 May 2026
