Alphabetti Theatre in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight presents.
PRESENT
Written and directed by ALI PRITCHARD
Performed by MALCOLM SHIELDS
Live music by CEITIDH MAC
Dramaturg by TAMSIN REES
Design and built by MOLLY BARRETT
Lighting design by DRUMMOND ORR
A high octane, energetic, festive show from an award-winning creative team, with an incredible soundtrack, that tells the story from an invisible community.
It’s the 23rd of December and Dave is preparing his Christmas tradition – to party like it's 1994, the drinks are flowing, the music is pumping. Tonight's going to be a good night. Until the buzz from his phone stops the noise - bringing him back to the real world.
It’s a text that gives him the chance to create a new Christmas tradition and meet his grandson for the first time. Join Dave on this epic festive quest as he battles to buy a Christmas present for his six-year-old grandson.
First produced in 2019, to sell out audiences at Alphabetti Theatre and described as:
‘Beautifully written and powerfully performed, this alternative Christmas fable by Alphabetti Theatre is packed with humour and heart.’
THE STAGE 2019
“The audience left with no uncertain knowledge that they had witnessed a great piece of theatre.” NORTH EAST THEATRE GUIDE 2019
Present written and directed by Alphabetti Theatre’s founder and departing Artistic Director Ali Pritchard is a high energy festive show with live music, first produced in December 2019, in partnership with Crisis Skylight Newcastle. This brand new production has seen the script extended and sees some of the original creative team as well as welcoming some new North East creatives including a new design team and a new composer to reimagine this new production.
Presents for Present Drive
If you're coming along to see the show please consider bringing a Present that will be donated to the charity Crisis to help people who are homeless in Newcastle. Find out more about suggested donations at https://www.live.org.uk/presents-present-gift-drive-crisis-skylight-new…]
2024 Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Present is a testament to the power of storytelling and the gift you didn’t know you needed this Christmas. With a knock-out performance by Shields and a narrative that will pull you in every direction, it will leave you moved by its heartfelt, yet important messages, but certain you have just witnessed something wonderful.'
THEATRE & TONIC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 'Let’s face it, Christmas can be a bit much, especially when life has not been kind. If you want to see an extremely festive and love-filled show which acknowledges this, Present at Live Theatre should not be missed...A Christmas gem.'
THE REVIEWS HUB
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Abundant with beauty, community and feeling.'
THE SPY IN THE STALLS
'This is a special show that exemplifies the power of theatre. It is bold and poignant, but it is more than that as it reflects the region and helps showcase the local theatrical creative talent.'
NORTH EAST THEATRE GUIDE
'Heartwarming, humbling and incredibly impactful...it's more than your typical Christmas play.'
LUXE MAGAZINE
'Heartfelt, heartbreaking and heartwarming...a Christmas story everyone should see.'
CULTURED NORTH EAST
Audience Reactions
Present Trailer
Present Production Pics taken by Matt Jamie
Cast and creative team
Malcolm Shields - Dave
Malcolm is an accomplished performer and choreographer with an extensive body of work in theatre, television, and film. Notable theatre credits include 'One Off' at Live Theatre, 'Floorboards' and 'Trolley Boy' at Alphabetti Theatre, 'Cinderella' at the Citizen's Theatre, and 'When The Boat Comes In' at the Customs House. His choreography has been featured in 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', 'Six Characters Looking For An Author', and 'Couldn’t Care Less'. On screen, Malcolm has appeared in 'Outlander', 'We Hunt Together', and 'Taggart'. His film work includes 'I Daniel Blake' and 'Young Adam', while his short films are 'Dad War' and 'Poached'.
Ceitidh Mac - music
Ceitidh Mac is an alt.folk singer and cellist known for her progressive sound and stunning voice. Blending contemporary arrangements with folk influences, she creates captivating songs that incorporate both live and electronic elements. Raised in Pembrokeshire and now based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Ceitidh has released several EPs, including 'I Reach for the Pen' and 'Seabird'. Her music has received support from BBC Radio 2, 6 Music, and Amazing Radio, where her single 'Birds' was A-Listed. Ceitidh's previous theatre credits include rearrangement and compositions for 'Sucking Eggs' by Steve Byron at Alphabetti Theatre in 2021. She won the Drake YolanDa Award 2022 and was Artist in Residence at The Glasshouse 2022/23.
Ali Pritchard - Writer and Director
Ali Pritchard is a highly accomplished and proudly neurodivergent writer, director, and producer celebrated for his leadership in the UK’s grassroots arts community. He founded Alphabetti Theatre in 2012,developing it into the vibrant cultural hub and gem of Newcastle. He is a visiting lecturer at a number of higher education institutes and is the founder and co-director of the Newcastle Fringe Festival, Ali has received numerous accolades, including being presented to King Charles III in 2024 for his contributions to grassroots arts. In 2023 he was recognized in The Stage's Top 100 Most Influential People in Theatre. He has won multiple awards for his creative work with his theatrical credits including 'Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers', 'Trolley Boy', and 'Nurse’s Station'. Ali's work blends humour with poignant social themes, continually empowering both artists and audiences
Molly Barrett - Set and Costume Designer
Molly Barrett is a freelance designer/maker for theatre and public events. She aims to create work that is both elegant and playful and is always keen to explore narrative as well as the beauty in movement and mechanical function. Her work is increasingly focused on the links between science and art.
Since graduating from Nottingham Trent University’s theatre design course in 2007, Molly has worked with a number of companies in and around the North East, including Alphabetti Theatre (where she is an associate artist), Northern Stage, Live Theatre, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, the Centre For Life, Seven Stories, Magnetic events, Unfolding Theatre and Curious Monkey, as well as nationally with companies such as Wild Works, The World Famous, Nutmeg Puppets, SAW Trust and NORCA.
Tamsin Rees - Dramaturg
Tamsin Rees (they/them) is a writer for stage and screen, from and based in the North East of England.
Tamsin is currently part of the New Writing North Adapt Screenwriting Programme 2024 where they are writing an original comedy drama series for TV. They were shortlisted for the Warner Bros Northern Access Scheme 2024, Trans Performance Now 2024, and longlisted for the New Writing North Film 4 Genre Hub 2024. They are a published playwright with Bloomsbury Methuen Drama for their play 'Cheer Up Slug' at Live Theatre which received a 4 star review from The Guardian.
Tamsin was a member of the Orange Tree Writer’s Collective 21/22, and a member of the first Royal Court Writer’s Group North. They were part of the BBC North East Voices 2021 and shortlisted for the top 1% for the BBC Script Room Drama 2021.They write stories that are rooted in the North East of England, are character driven, and challenge class, sexuality, gender, and power. Their work has been performed at Live Theatre, Northern Stage, Alphabetti, ARC Stockton, Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Royal Court Site Space, Bunker Theatre and more.
In 2024 they completed an AHRC Northern Bridge funded PhD in Playwriting at Newcastle University. They also work as a dramaturg, script reader, and teach creative writing at Newcastle University.
