The Gift

If they expect me to run and hide, eat myself up, they can think again. Can’t you see? This is my... call to arms. The inciting incident of my life - I’m ALIVE.

When Colin receives an anonymous package, he is bemused and appalled by what he finds inside. He should just ignore it... But who would send him such a thing - and why did they put it in a cake box?

Colin really isn’t built for this sort of scrutiny, and soon he is turning over everything he might have ever done wrong in his life. It falls upon his sister Lisa and her husband Brian to try to save Colin from his own existential angst, but as his list of possible suspects keeps getting longer he finds himself more determined than ever to unmask the culprit.

The Gift by Dave Florez is an irreverent comedy that unashamedly dives into the murky waters of past transgressions, modern-day vengeance, and hilariously unchecked paranoia.

This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at London’s Park Theatre in January 2025.

Dave Florez won a Scotsman Fringe First award for his play Somewhere Beneath It All, A Small Fire Burns Still, and his play Hand Over Fist was nominated for an Edinburgh Stage Award. His debut play Afterbirth was produced at Arcola Theatre, developed at National Theatre Studio and published by Methuen Drama. He has had short plays produced at Royal Court, Soho Theatre and Liverpool Everyman.