PRESENT
Live Theatre
★★★★
“Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling”
‘Present’ at the Live Theatre is a moving festive production exploring estrangement, alcoholism and homelessness. The story follows Dave, a man struggling with addiction and homelessness amongst the backdrop of the days leading up to Christmas. He is a grandad to Albert; a boy Dave is desperate to be a good ‘Grandfather Christmas’ for this year.
Presenting this touching story, Alphabetti in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight, capture both a solemn desperation and tenderness as the piece untangles the knots of Dave’s life. As the audience are brought into the idiosyncrasies, internal battles, and difficulties in this character’s life, the piece does well to tug on heartstrings with nuance and care, as well as stir comfort and warmth in the humour of Malcolm Shields’ talent of physical comedy. One highlight of the piece is Sheilds’ energetic car-washing, as well as his great ability to carry momentum through as an individual actor. As Dave encounters other characters as he struggles to fulfil his mission of buying a Christmas present for his grandson, Shields’ interactions feel genuine and fluid. Ali Pritchard and Tamsin Rees’ direction and dramaturgy bring to life a difficult story and shed light on Dave’s inner monologue in a measured and thoughtful way.
Ceitidh Mac’s live music is another strength of ‘Present’. Throughout the piece, we are treated to careful and stirring cello and vocal renditions of pop songs, alongside atmospheric Christmas carol turned ballads. Mac’s use of loop pedal with strings and voice burst with precision and tenderness and match the tone of Ali Pritchard’s poignant yet charmingly tongue-in-cheek direction and writing. Mac and Shields’ warmth also earn a well-timed sing-along that even the grinchiest in the room can’t turn down.
Admittedly, there are places where dialogue feels slightly circular and pacing could be sped slightly. Where Sheilds writes physically on props or wrap, it could be more engaging for some prop and set pieces to be more “here’s-one-I-made-earlier” than created in real time. Mac’s musical underscoring does work to build the atmosphere in these moments; however, it is a shame that some dramatic tension is lost in lingering scene transitions.
Molly Barrett’s design and Drummond Orr’s lighting design are simply magical, creating a sense of precise time of year and winter weather so wonderfully; the audience can almost imagine their breath steam in front of them. As projections of passers-by spectrally shimmer over Shields, his isolation is captured stunningly. Similarly, the separation of Mac on a higher platform above the street, contrasting with Shields performing in an empty space accompanied by a bin, a bench, and a bottle (with a dusting of fake snow) creates a further isolation for Dave as he dredges through past and present trauma.
A funny, festive and introspective production, ‘Present’ is a palate cleanser of a piece this December. Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling, ‘Present’ is an evocative, accessible and urgent piece to catch this December.
PRESENT at Live Theatre
Reviewed on 10th December 2024
by Molly Knox
Photography by Matt Jamie
Previously reviewed at this venue:
GWYNETH GOES SKIING | ★★★★ | November 2024
ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024
PRESENT
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