Concept and Direction – Mella Faye
The Gift is An interactive festive offering supporting The old Market, such a worthy cause. The experience aims for the group gathered to become a community, of sorts, and focuses on real world connectivity. Something we all need more of in this over rampant technological age.
As soon as the audience enters The Old Market in Hove, we are transported into another dimension. Ushered into a cozy room by a performer who looks like a ring master, who we are told is “The Magician”, we are firstly invited to phase out distraction and drop into the present. Then a mysterious woman called Justice asks us to pick a tarot card at chance. This will divide us into our tribes for the evening, which comprise of Lovers, Emperors, Fools, Magicians and Devils. Each tribe has a guide, but more of that later.
Once part of a tribe, we enter the Box Room which has been converted to an impish like world with low lighting, greenery and platforms. There is a throne on the stage and an array of weird and wonderful musical instruments. On the far wall an ethereal projection of trees plays giving the space an other worldy feel.
The guides traverse the room bedecked in sumptuous outfits. They give us an initial insight into the game to come. We are to make wishes come true, but first food. Platters arrive and we eat. The meals aren’t gourmet and a little carb heavy but they are similar to what you’d expect in a descent pub.
After meeting an interesting group of new people at our table the gathering begins. We separate into our tribes and write a wish out that we would like to complete in the room, either to our individual tables or to everyone as a whole.
Mella Faye excellently controls and guides the room. She has great presence and bags of charisma. The guides have a variety of styles, some more effective as others. Lucy Hopkins really embodies The Fool, although some of the other guides don’t always stay in character, which takes you out of the immersive nature of the piece a little.
The best way to approach The Gift is to throw yourself into the process whole heartedly. Our tribe explores music, someone what’s to be sung at in the throne, we play hopscotch and embrace silence. It is a safe space to explore. You are only limited by your imagination and the resources of your fellow cohort on the journey with you.
The Gift is what you make it. It emanates a powerful message of kindness, creativity and collectivism. And, although it doesn’t quite hit the heights of some immersive theatre this reviewer has experienced in the past, as well as feeling a little too long, it is a lovely way to spend your time.
Reviewed on 4th December. Runs to 21st December. .
The Reviews Hub Star Rating
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7
