Nicholas Burns, celebrated for his iconic portrayal in Nathan Barley, is set to lead the cast of the upcoming comedy The Gift, which premieres at Park Theatre in January 2025. Known for roles in the long-running ITV series Benidorm, the BBC sketch show Man Stroke Woman, and the latest series of Black Mirror, Burns will play the character Colin in this fresh and irreverent production.

Joining him are Laura Haddock, recognized for her performances in Downton Abbey: A New Era, the Guardians of the Galaxy films, and The Inbetweeners Movie, and Alex Price, known for playing Sid Carter in the BBC series Father Brown and for originating the role of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on the West End and Broadway.

The Gift tells the story of Colin, who receives an unexpected package from his favourite patisserie. What he anticipated to be a delightful treat transforms into a perplexing mystery that thrusts him into an existential crisis. Determined to identify the sender, Colin decides to invest his energy into solving the riddle, much like a detective, initiating an investigation that spirals out of control.

As Colin becomes increasingly obsessed, his sister Lisa (Haddock) and her husband Brian (Price) struggle to bring him back from the edge. However, Colin’s relentless pursuit of answers jeopardizes not only his life but also the lives of those around him.

The play is penned by Dave Florez, a playwright whose previous work, Somewhere Beneath, has won a Fringe First Award. The production is directed by Adam Meggido, co-creator of the Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. The narrative of The Gift poses a compelling question: How should one respond when faced with a deliberate disruption of their life? Should they find humor in the situation and move on, or should they seek out the instigator and exact revenge?

Meggido described the show as an exhilarating return to comedic theatre in an intimate venue, stating, “After the dynamic physical comedy of Mischief’s remarkable productions, bringing comedy back to a small space with such a talented cast feels like the perfect way to kick off 2025.”

Florez’s plays have seen success at notable venues including Hampstead Theatre, the Royal Court, and Soho Theatre, while his feature film Embers was presented at the BFI London Film Festival and nominated for Best UK Feature at Raindance Film Festival. He is also a member of BAFTA Connect and a BBC Voices alumnus, showcasing a diverse array of work in comedy, drama, and television.

Adam Meggido has earned acclaim for directing productions on both sides of the Atlantic, including Peter Pan Goes Wrong and Magic Goes Wrong. His co-creation, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, has entertained audiences in 12 countries and received an Olivier Award.

Located in Finsbury Park, Park Theatre has built a reputation for exceptional theatrical productions over the past 11 years. Its main performance space, Park200, has hosted eight West End transfers, including Rose, starring Maureen Lipman, and The Boys in the Band, featuring Mark Gatiss. With a strong history of Olivier Award nominations and OffWestEnd Offie Awards, Park Theatre continues to support a diverse range of productions.

The Gift is poised to be a sharp and witty start to the new year, featuring a talented cast and a distinguished creative team.