Review by Izzy Tierney
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Have you ever received a gift that you hated? A gift that made you think, does this person even know me at all? A gift you literally have no idea what to do with because why on earth would anyone think you could possibly want it? Well, I guarantee you that whatever gift you’re thinking of is infinitely better than the deceptive cake box received by poor Colin, the unfortunate forty-something at the centre of Dave Florez’s new play, The Gift.
The premise of the play is simple: a nasty package from an unknown person is delivered to Colin, who in a desperate attempt to figure out the identity of the sender, spirals into a pit of despair and paranoia where he begins to question his entire existence, much to the frustration and concern of his sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Brian. It's a comedy, but there is depth to the book; an unsettling, albeit comical, dive into the fragility of the human psyche. We don’t meet Colin pre-gift, but throughout the show we are repeatedly shown that he is not an easy going man who can let go of grudges or move on from things easily, making his rapid deterioration not only feel like a truthful reflection of who is, but also relatable to anyone watching who often finds themselves becoming way too obsessive over something, and who knows they would probably react in the same way (not that I'm projecting or anything).
Florez’s writing allows for the many melodramatic, laugh-out-loud moments without sacrificing the fundamental humanness at the forefront of Colin’s actions, however absurd and ridiculous they may be. The script flows well, with an abundance of jokes and funny pieces of dialogue that work perfectly to enhance the script, rather than just being added for the sake of it. The play itself has very little action in it so interesting dialogue is an absolute must for this production, and Florez does a fantastic job at keeping the audience hooked.
The most physical action comes in act two, where one scene includes a punch. It's a funny attempt at reconciliation rather than a serious piece of violence that fight director, Dan ‘DJ’ Johnson, has choreographed brilliantly, managing to make a planned, thoroughly discussed punch feel both surprising and painful without losing its comedic effect. Directing the rest of the madness is Adam Meggido, who having directed shows like Peter Pan Goes Wrong and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, is no stranger to orchestrating chaos in a way that is both hilarious yet contained. As the show solely takes place in Colin's living room, there is a risk of it becoming visually boring when all that is happening is the three characters talking to each other, but Meggido does an excellent job at keeping the actors moving about the stage in a way that feels natural and ensures the play is also visually interesting.
Bringing these characters to life are Nicholas Burns as Colin, Laura Haddock as Lisa and Alex Price as Brian. The three have great chemistry, bouncing off one another and each bringing a different aura into the room that blends beautifully into the messy, realistic dynamic that is familial relationships. Burns embodies Colin spectacularly, managing to convey the complexities of the character with ease. His delivery is consistently funny and despite how silly or dramatic, it never slips into something cartoonish or forced, always remaining grounded in genuineness. Haddock plays the more mature half of Colin’s support network - the loyal sister who is trying her best to get her brother to move on and the long-suffering wife of Brian who wants more from her life and from him.
While the narrative focuses more on Colin and his mystery gift giver, Lisa also has an important character arc, and Haddock does a fabulous job of subtly evolving Lisa in a thoughtful portrayal that gradually becomes more open. Similarly, the often-obnoxious Brian, who likes to turn every situation into a joke and delights in the exasperated sighs his tsunami of puns receive, is played with a sensitivity by Price that allows for the more serious, stripped-back moments to be met with vulnerability. All three performers are incredibly enjoyable to watch.
By now you may have guessed what unwelcome offering the disgusting gift contains, but thanks to an enormously talented cast and creative team, The Gift is anything but… well, that.
The Gift plays at the Park Theatre until March 1st
For tickets and information visit https://parktheatre.co.uk/event/the-gift/
Photos by Rich Southgate