WRITER and actor Phoebe McIntosh is superb in this new self-penned play that asks some deceptively complex questions about identity and race in 21st century Britain.

As a mixed race history teacher, Layla McKinnon is happy and confident, a thoroughly modern member of our multi-cultural society. Life’s good. She’s about to marry her boyfriend, and guess what? She doesn’t even have to change the name on her driving licence because he’s a McKinnon too.

Then she discovers why they share a surname and prises open an almighty can of worms. Hold on! It’s not what you’re thinking. They aren’t related but as far as marriage vows are concerned, it’s almost a deal breaker. What was once a funny coincidence now threatens to drive them apart and it certainly drives away one of her oldest friends.

In this gently probing tale Layla finds herself questioning her own family history and her attitude to matters that she’s never even considered before. It’s a clever play and with an assured and compelling performance from McIntosh, Dominoes invites the audience to explore the hidden histories that can dwell in the family trees of mixed race people.

It asks whether the difficulties of the past must always pose a threat to the future. It also shows once again what an excellent platform for small-scale drama Lighthouse’s relatively new Sherling Studio is.

Directed by Lighthouse Associate Producer Stephen Wrentmore, Dominoes is at the start of a tour supporting emerging black, Asian and minority ethnic talent.

*Dominoes plays Lighthouse in Poole again tonight (Saturday)