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Searching undeterred: The Gift @ParkTheatre

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I recently had a few parcels go missing from where I live. The first parcel disappeared without a trace. The second parcel's contents were removed, and the box was left alone in the lobby. It's one of the things that you have to put up with living in central London. Apart from complaining to the delivery company and filing a police report, it crossed my mind to think about what would happen if I sent myself something rather unpleasant for a future parcel thief to open up. Well, Dave Florez's new work, The Gift, is in this line of thinking, except that the lead receives an anonymous gift of a turd in the mail rather than sending it to himself. It is lovingly gift-wrapped in a cake box from a posh north London bakery. It's a fascinating and hilarious three-hander currently playing at Park Theatre .  Colin (Nicholas Burns) is a little obsessive at the best of times. He doesn't let things drop quickly and is obsessed with the details behind anything and everythi...

Theatre: Cirque Du Soleil - Totem


Cirque Du Soleil's journey of the origin of the species - Totem - returns to the Royal Albert Hall for a limited run. Directed by Robert Lepage, it is a thrilling and beautiful show. People fly through the air, juggle, unicycle, play tricks and clown around. It is all spectacular stuff.



I caught it last year and enjoyed it, but this time around it seemed even better. Whether it was the expectation of what was to come, or the appreciation that no performance is exactly the same it was a great night out that had the audience on its feet at the end.

The set consists of a large swamp complete with a giant turtle carapace. A crystal man sets the proceedings in motion, and throughout the show the circus set pieces are guided by a tracker, scientist and an Amerindian dancer.  There is much to take in with the spectacular set pieces, the individual acts, the music and the costumes telling a story of evolution. There are the businessmen on poles, the ladies on unicycles, and the crystal girls with the spinning towels cloths all delivered incredibly thrilling performances. 

And while you're sure that when you see there is a man in tights with a large codpiece and lady hanging from him that you are in store for some spectacular acrobatic stunts. But the thrill of watching this show is in how beautiful and seductive it is. 

There are other circus acts out there, but none look as good or are as classy. Worth a trip to marvel at the achievement of it all. It runs through to 16 February. 

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