An ordinary flat with a living room/kitchen area is the setting for Dave Florez’s new comedy, The Gift, playing at Park Theatre 200.
Colin (a nervous and intense Nicholas Burns) receives an unpleasant package in the post. As he becomes more obsessed with discovering who might have sent such a ‘message’, and why, The Gift becomes a lively and hilarious farce.
Working through the puzzle with Colin are his workaholic sister, Lisa (Laura Haddock) and her husband Brian (Alex Price, very good as the joker in the pack, sniping about Rich Tea biscuits and knocking out one-liners).
Colin is the type of chap who lives blandly, albeit in a kimono. He finds pleasure in the obsequious waiters at his local restaurant and treats his gift with thorough investigative zeal as he adds potential suspects to a spreadsheet and his cupboard doors.
On the face of it, The Gift is funny but slight. It doesn’t follow up why Colin relies so much on his sister for support or explain his increasingly bizarre behaviour. It also drifts on for a bit longer than feels necessary.
However, the three actors work together very well, and the script ensures the lines come thick and fast, with director Adam Meggido refereeing this parcel with skill and verve.
The set design (Sara Perks) includes a full fitted kitchen, doors, props, and a large sofa for dramatic topples from Colin. The Gift itself reappears with regularity to the audience’s delight, and little touches add to the sense of an obsessive at home.
The Gift doesn’t really have a deep message. It’s scatalogical fun that doesn’t require brain power to be entertained. Florez has a writing pedigree that encompasses stage and screen that serves this play well, and you will definitely leave smiling.
Sometimes, theatre can just capture the silly things we humans do and how we react to the strangest situations. We all know these characters in some form. That’s where The Gift worked for me.
I’m giving it 4 stars.
The Gift continues at Park Theatre until 1 Mar with tickets here.
Image credit: Rich Southgate