The Gift

Highlights

  • See this fantastic play about cultural appropriation, cross-racial adoption, imperialism and, above all, the British tradition of drinking tea.

The Gift

The Gift is a bizarre play about cultural appropriation, cross-racial adoption, imperialism and, above all, the British tradition of drinking tea. The Gift play is coming to the Theatre Royal Stratford East for an exceptionally limited run in 2020. Here is all you need to know before booking your tickets.

What is the story about?

The play starts in 1852 Brighton and showcases a day in the life of Sarah, an African girl. She was adopted by Queen Victoria and raised in the noble circle. The production tells the tale of the day when Sarah is supposed to return to Africa. Will she return to her homeland?

The play then moves forward to the present day, where Sarah, a middle-class black girl, resides with her husband and child in Cheshire village. Some neighbours visit their house with cupcakes and a startling revelation. What can it be?

The events in the story push the two Sarahs towards a meeting with Queen Victoria. However, nothing is as it seems, and it is not a regular tea party. Carefully weaving suspense into the plot which underlines the current existing racism, makes The Gift play one of the most entertaining stage productions to experience next year.

The GIft play in London now
The GIft play in London now

Eclipse and Revolution Mix

Eclipse is a Black-led English production company, producing a string of plays aimed at drawing attention to the realities of racism. The diverse programming the group offers has solidified its reputation among theatregoers. 

Eclipse devised a special theatre movement, named Revolution Mix, aiming to deliver a wide range of Black British stories. The Gift play is part of the fourth tour for the Revolution Mix. The first sold-out programme under the movement was Black Men Walking. The second tour comprised this year’s production, Princess & The Hustler, which drew widespread acclaim for Eclipse. 

Show timings and dates

Interested parties have a minimal window to catch a show of The Gift. It premieres at Theatre Royal Stratford East between January 30 and February 15, 2020. Enjoy the evening shows beginning at 7.30 PM between Mondays and Saturdays. Those seeking matinee options can experience the play at 2.30 PM on Thursdays and Saturdays. However, the running time for the production remains unknown at this point. 

Avoid bringing outside food into the venue as it is strictly prohibited. Instead, enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants nearby before curtains up or once the play ends. In the absence of a strict dress code, guests are recommended to wear casual and smart attire for the show. However, bring extra clothes since the air-conditioned hall can become too chilly for your liking. 

Online ticket booking is the fastest and most straightforward way to reserve seats for the show. After booking, ensure you receive a confirmation mail containing the voucher. Save it on your phone or take a printout. Carry this with you for the show and display it at the theatre box office for direct, hassle-free entry into the venue. The venue administration also recommends keeping valid photo identification handy as well.