News: Presents for Present gift drive for homeless people launched

Presents for Present gift drive for homeless people launched

Alphabetti Theatre in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight Newcastle are delighted to announce the Presents for Present initiative.

Every year Crisis Skylight Newcastle runs a Wishlist Scheme, so people suffering from homelessness in Newcastle and the surrounding area can have a Christmas present to open. This year, to coincide with Live Theatre’s festive offering Present, running from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 21 December, the venue is encouraging audience members to bring a gift along with them to be go to the Wishlist.

Present
Photo: Matt Jamie

Premiering in 2019 at Alphabetti Theatre, Present by Ali Pritchard was created in collaboration with members from Crisis Skylight.  This heartfelt and funny production with live music from the incredible Ceitidh Mac, tells the story of a homeless man Dave, played by the mesmerising Malcolm Shields, and his epic quest to buy his grandson a Christmas present.   

So, what is Presents for Present? Writer and director Ali Pritchard explains:

“It’s a gift drive for homeless people, with items donated by audiences visiting Live Theatre in December. Whether you are coming to see any of Live Theatre’s festive offerings: Present, Blitzen On The Tyne or visiting Santa, you can bring a present for a person less fortunate than you, drop it off at Live Theatre and it will be delivered to Crisis Skylight, who will then distribute it.”

Crisis Skylight have some helpful hints for suggested presents and these include alcohol-free food and drink (with a ‘use by’ date extending beyond 31 January 2025), toiletries and gift items such as travel games, gift cards, puzzles, colouring books, pencils and paints. Most of Crisis’ members are male and donations of clean and in excellent condition warm clothing and footwear are urgently needed and would be very much appreciated. Further information on items to donate can be found at www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved 

Gifts can be wrapped and also made into Christmas hampers but it is essential that they are labelled so the amazing Crisis volunteers can distribute them where requited. Any surplus items will be donated to local organisations, particularly those working to eradicate poverty and homelessness.

Present is a high octane festive show with live music and when it was first staged In 2019, it was applauded by audiences and reviewers alike, with The Stage describing it as: ‘Beautifully written and powerfully performed, this alternative Christmas fable is packed with humour and heart.’ The 2024 production has been extended by the writer Ali Pritchard, with the help of the dramaturg Tamsin Rees and audiences can expect entertainment with a punch.

Pritchard continues:

“Present is a tonic to the commercialism of Christmas. Although ironically we would love it if you would still buy tickets for Present as capitalism makes the world go round! If you were really in the Christmas spirit you could even pay it forward and Share A Show. Simply tick the donation box when you book and you will be buying a ticket to give to someone who wouldn’t normally be able to afford to see a play”.

Tickets:

For more information about Presents for Present and to book tickets for the show which runs from 3 to 21 December go to www.live.org.uk or call Box Office on 0191 232 1232.

 

Dates: Tue 3 Dec – Sat 21 Dec 2024

Running time: approx. 90mins including interval

Age Rating 15+

Content Warnings: Contains some themes and language that some audiences may find upsetting and distressing.

Accessible Performances:

Tue 10 Dec - BSL

Wed 11 Dec - Captioned and Audio Described