THE PRESENT
DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS: 7
GIFTS BOUGHT: 0
FAMILY MEMBERS MISSING: 1
...AND COUNTING
At once comedic and cathartic, The Present unwraps a family’s history and their obsession with presents. You’ll meet half twins with different fathers; mother and son with unresolvable trust issues; a man with a rare gene that makes him extra tasty to sharks, and his long lost daughter who loves the beach. The piece breeds dark humour with big heart to explore how every family creates its own mythology, and then suffers from it.
In the week leading up to Christmas the twins’ search for one genuinely meaningful gift exposes longings, resentments, and the question of what traditions might best be left behind.
From the creators of ‘I’ll Tell You In Person’ 2020 and ‘The Hypotheticals’ 2021.
DURATION: 85 minutes
WARNINGS: Recommended for ages 15+ with adult supervision
Contains adult themes and sexual references
Writers/Creators: Jeffrey Jay Fowler & Sarah Reuben
Co-produced by Brown’s Mart.
Performed by: Will Bartolo & Sarah Reuben
Lighting Design: Tomm Lydiard
Composition & Sound Design: Matt Cunliffe
Set & Costume Design: Sam Knox
"The script crackles with rapid-fire dialogue that at times feels like a theatrical rap battle, bouncing between sharp wit, emotional honesty and laugh-out-loud absurdity."
-Nicole Ogilvie
"The Present is a monstrous, magnificent and illuminatory journey through familial memories, brought to life by Bartolo and Reuben’s breathtaking tour de force performances"
-Stage Whispers
"Fantastic show. It was like eating a great chilli: delicious and easy to eat, then the burn started to build 🌶️ "
-A delightful audience member
