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★★★★★
North London’s Park Theatre is the home of a new comedy, ‘The Gift’ by Dave Florez, which centres on an individual who receives an unexpected delivery in the post, with no idea who sent it or for what purpose. It follows the aftermath of the package’s arrival and the impact it has on the recipient Colin (Nicholas Burns), who suddenly starts to look at his life and relationships completely differently. With support from his sister Lisa (Laura Haddock) and brother-in-law Brian (Alex Price), the group set out to decipher the symbolic gift, which temporarily turns their lives upside down. With direction by Adam Meggido, it is a highly amusing play that will have you grinning from ear to ear and also wincing at the subject matter (no spoilers).
Comedy in the characters
What I really enjoyed about this production is the relationships depicted on stage and the camaraderie between the actors. The play features an everyday family, who are clearly extremely close but also have their differences. The arrival of the unwanted item causes the melodramatic Colin to have an existential crisis, and Brian and Lisa are a combination of supportive, deeply amused and also totally fascinated by the situation. It is these mixed reactions which makes the comedy feel so relatable and also subtly encourages you to think about how your own friends or family would react to being in the same position. I was frequently laughing at the drama of it all, thinking how perfectly Dave Florez has captured over-the-top reactions and collective horror within friendship groups.
Inviting and detailed set design
The entire story takes place in Colin’s kitchen diner and the audience is invited into this open plan layout for approximately 2 hours of theatre (including an interval). The format is intimate, with audience members in the stalls feeling like they are a part of the action, getting to experience an up close view of the family dynamics. The play is split into four key sections and the living area is slightly adjusted each time for the narrative developments. In each segment you can’t help but feel designer Sara Perks has created a really homely and realistic living space, with a keen eye for detail, from half-eaten pizza boxes to chaotic notes akin to crime scene analysis. Sara has clearly used the set design as an opportunity to highlight the eccentricities of each of the characters’ personalities and the bizarreness of the whole ordeal; making the visuals a highlight of this new piece of theatre.
A highly enjoyable comedy rollercoaster
‘The Gift’ is a hilarious comedy that never feels forced, with the cast clearly revelling in the opportunity to play these down to earth and relatable characters. It is one of the funniest pieces of theatre that I have watched in a long time, with the humorous elements feeling so natural, thanks to the brilliant dialogue and exquisite timing. The play is at Park Theatre until Saturday 1st March 2025, with tickets available via the venue’s website. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to watch this memorable and totally unique play. It is the ideal show to watch with a group of friends or family, who are partial to a light-hearted story.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘The Gift’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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