A winter celebration of life at the Old Market is just the ticket to shake off any blues as the weather turns. The Gift reminds people that there is love, laughter and star dust in abundance when people come together to feast and make merry.
It’s a gift to anyone burdened or discouraged to cast your cares to one side, share sunshine, compassion, empathy and tap into your deepest desires. The Gift is a collaboration that urges us all to live our best possible lives, share hopes and dreams and make new friends.
As members of the audience, we are all invited to join a clan and participate in the action. The warmth in the room in the second half is palpable. This could be by sharing a group hug, doing the hokey pokey or joining hands in a solemn plea for world peace. Each night of the Gift is different because it’s audience led. It’s immersive theatre at its best.
Mella Faye hosts each show as Justice and has co-produced the production. She invites us to wonder and revel in the exhilaration and absurdity of being alive. Mella Faye is the award-winning artistic director of Pecho Mama.
Part cabaret, with live music, the audience is encouraged to dig deep into their humanity and share the love. It’s the opposite of a commercial Christmas. Mella Faye said: “Think of this as a radical alternative to the capitalist rodeo of Christmas, and the best kind of house party with 100 new best friends.”
Maverick artists and actors sprinkle joy as they skilfully steer the unrehearsed magic, encouraging participants to shake off their inhibitions and live in the moment. A special shout out goes to Lucy Hopkins who is the Fool.
Malo, Pie O my and Cloud 9 Bakery provide an excellent Feast, starting with warm empanadas followed by lasagne bites, carbonara arancini, buckshot bites and a host of other delicacies.
Everyone leaves The Old Market glowing with full bellies and warm hearts: even the most sceptical enjoyed renewed vigour thanks to the kindness of strangers and our talented hosts. The message is to reach out and share love, cast aside the great British reserve and you will receive love back in spades.
My neighbour in my clan wrote: “I wish for blessings of love, compassion, fortune, health, strength and light to be shared to those who would like to receive them, by those who would like to give them.”
The Old Market, Hove Wednesday 03 December 2025
Runs to Sunday 21 December 2025
Photo credits: Chloe Hashemi
