Review: The Gift, Park Theatre

The first thing The Gift made me think of was Seinfeld, the extremely successful 90s sitcom. Not because of any echoes of that show’s style or achievements, but because of the funky bass guitar music at the beginning.

In this case, the bass gives way to a trio of characters staring into a be-ribboned cake box. These’s Colin (Nicholas Burns), his sister Lisa (Laura Haddock) and her partner Brian (Alex Price). What’s in the box is a human turd that’s been sent to Colin by person or persons unknown, and the purpose of the play is to solve the riddle of who’s responsible while we laugh along to the unpleasant absurdity of the premise.

I think I nearly smiled about half a dozen times in total. That’s not the fault of the cast, who try very hard indeed to find the comedy in Dave Florez’ script, and for many in the press night audience it clearly worked. Perhaps it played better in the Stalls than in the Circle where I was sat enjoying a bird’s eye view of the top of the actors’ heads, or perhaps it’s just a question of taste. After the show I met a lawyer who had found the show funny and relatable – I asked him if that was down to the script or the performances and he said it was a bit of both. Suffice it to say that if slightly ridiculous characters and the phrase “vegan activism” float your comedy boat, this could well be right up your alley.

Setting aside comic preferences, what of the mystery of who sent the poo? The investigation hops between various off-stage characters and serves as a device for us to learn about Colin, who is evidently not very socially elegant – in fact he borders on the cliché of the hapless man-child. Lisa and Brian present as more capable individuals, though their relationship clearly has issues, hence repeated references to an upcoming “retreat” to work on their dynamic.

A pre-interval reveal is hardly surprising but at least throws something definite into the meandering narrative, but then the play back-tracks on that and we’re left with no clarity after all. By the end of two hours the show seems to have loosely coalesced around a vague recommendation to “move on” through life’s adversities.

As I’ve said, some of the audience found The Gift an absolute hoot. Maybe it just wasn’t for me – but then I never really understood the appeal of Seinfeld either.

Written by: Dave Florez
Directed by: Adam Meggido
Produced by: Postscript Productions in association with Park Theatre

The Gift plays at Park Theatre until 1 March. Further information and tickets available here.