The Gift Review: A Fun but Mediocre “Poo-Dunit”

A New Play by Dave Florez has its funny moments but seems to lack a big comedic punch. 

★★★☆☆

It’s not every day that you get a package with a unique surprise inside and no, I’m not talking about the old days where you would get a toy inside a cereal box. This is a more peculiar surprise. Dave Florez’s play follows Colin (played by Nicholas Burns), a man whose ordinary life takes a foul turn when he receives an unexpected and, well, unpleasant gift: a human turd neatly packaged in a cake box from a luxurious bakery he likes in town. This then leads to Colin becoming obsessed with finding out who sent it, and it quickly spirals him into a chaotic state. This disrupts his relationships with his family and friends and warps his sense of reality. 

Burns leads the cast with an endearing blend of awkwardness and relentless determination, which makes Colin’s fixation on the mystery both amusing and painfully relatable. He delivers a sharp performance that helps carry the play through its more absurd twists and turns. Laura Haddock, as his exasperated yet supportive sister Lisa, and Alex Price, as his peculiar brother-in-law Brian, add layers of family dysfunction that give the story some needed heart and tension. Their comedic timing and chemistry help bolster the humor, making their dynamic a highlight of the production. 

Where the play tends to shine is its premise. There is an inherent hilarity in such an absurd situation, and Florez definitely plays with that absurdity well. The dialogue is snappy, and the cast does their best to extract every laugh out of the material. However, while the play is invariably amusing, it rarely escalates into the kind of uproarious comedy that leaves a lasting impression. The writing trifles with moments of brilliance but lacks the ability to fully capitalize on them. This makes the play more of a “solidly funny” production rather than “unforgettably hilarious.”

Overall, I did enjoy it, but it did not quite give the standout punch I like to see in a new comedy. It delivers laughs, a great and committed cast, and an intriguing mystery but that’s about it. I would recommend it if you would like an amusing evening at the theatre and to see a new work on stage. 

The Gift - Park Theatre

Attended on 30 January 2025  

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