There was an instant sense of magic and wonder as the doors to The Open Market opened for a new immersive experience, The Gift, on Thursday evening.
The Gift: Immersive Experience This December
Mella Faye’s The Gift is billed as A Feast / A Game / A Ritual / A Show, and I had no idea what to expect. My interest was instantly piqued by the invitation for “brave pilgrims and curious seekers to a deep midwinter odyssey” and the promise that “every night will be utterly unique.”
I certainly didn’t expect that a couple of hours later I would be sitting on a throne on stage, sharing a wish I hoped would be granted and asking a whole room of strangers if they wanted to take part.
As I share my experience, my intention is to keep some of the mystery, though there may be a few spoilers ahead, and remember, every night will be different.
We received a warm welcome as we were handed our tickets and a mysterious programme containing a card revealing our table (Pentacles). The programme simply read: Welcome, Reading, Wish, Feast, Game, Ritual, Farewell. We were told to wait in the bar for the magician.
Warming our cockles with delicious and fragrant mulled apple (my first mull of the season), we waited. Then the magician arrived and whisked us away, lining audience members up to enter a room. We huddled in the cosy “justice room”, an ethereal figure breaking from stillness into animation. The bewitching Justice, played by the show’s captivating creator Mella Faye, cast her spell: “You are the gift,” she said, revealing that tonight we would each have the chance to make a wish. It might be fulfilled, or it might not. No guarantees.
Each audience member picked a card before entering the main space: “the garden of gifts of dreams”. It was like stepping into another world. We were encouraged to explore. The other guides welcomed us: The Emperor, The Lover, The Devil, The Wisher and The Fool. This was a moment of delicious uncertainty. We collected our starter: a tasty empanada and a shot each, from the bar. Gathering at our allocated round tables, the only option was to start talking to strangers.
The sense of mystery lingered, and I eased into it. Then it began. The guides gathered on stage to welcome us with music, and it was time to feast. Sharing platters were brought to the tables, generously laden with lasagna bites, carbonara bites, a giant garlic sharing knot (all vegan). There were polenta fries (also vegan and gluten-free), cheese, parma ham and rocket fingers (GF), buckshot bites (with vegetarian and vegan options), glazed pepperoni, mozzarella and red pepper skewers (GF), garlic and herb crostini (vegan) and dips. There was a menu on the table detailing everything. For me, there’s always something slightly awkward, and somewhat British, about sharing food with strangers, but we eased into that too.
The food was whisked away for the next part: The Game. Each guide gathered their clan, and we moved to different tables to write and share wishes. The instructions were clear, with a strong emphasis on consent: if it wasn’t a full-bodied yes, it was a no.
What unfolded next was something unique that I’m still savouring. We shared our wishes and negotiated how they might be met. The slight unease of not knowing what would happen soon dissolved into play, laughter, adventure and joyful silliness. One table played instruments on stage while others moved around the room. My table journeyed through heartfelt conversations, generous offerings and laughter. It felt like connecting with old friends rather than meeting strangers. Magical.
Some wishes were put to the whole room, and somehow mine was one of them. When I first wrote it, I hadn’t realised I would have to own it: first to my table, and then to a roomful of strangers, sitting on the “wishing chair” with a giant image of myself projected onto the wall behind me. It culminated in a group hug, a joyful chorus of “hey!” and most of the room dancing around me. It felt surreal, and I noticed two of the guides making gentle eye contact with me to check I was OK. I really appreciated the sense of safety and the inclusive, aware atmosphere. I particularly loved striking a big gong to confirm my wish had been fulfilled.
Next came the ritual, where wishes are combined for a final collective experience. By this point, I felt like I was among friends and simply revelling in the uplift of it all.
And spoiler: the evening ends with delicious cake.
The Gift is a refreshing, exciting and truly unique experience with real impact. The performers are fun, warm and welcoming; the production is stunning; and the entire event feels magical, inclusive and alive. My heart warmed, it’s something I will savour, and something I’ll be encouraging everyone to go and see.
Don’t miss The Gift, running at The Old Market until Sunday, December 21.
Address: The Old Market, 11a Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS
Tickets: £47.50 per person or £40 per person for a table of 10, available via The Old Market
Mella Faye’s The Gift: Credits
Concept and Direction – Mella Faye
Text – Mella Faye, and company
Set & Venue Designer – Joe Fleming
Sound Design and Composer – Tom Penn
Lighting Design and Projection Mapping – Dan Mackenzie-Walker
Video Designer – Sal Pittman
Set Design Assistance – Adrian Bristow
Costume Coordination and Dramaturgical Support – Lucy Bradridge
Production Coordinator – Brodie Leworthy
Production Management – Rob Hogg and Sophy Lole
Operators– Sophy Lole, Dan Mackenzie -Walker, Felix Winby
Marketing Manager – Mark Gordon
Press Representative – Rachel Furst
Graphic Designer – Tom Cooper
Produced by The Old Market and Mella Faye
Cast includes: Abigail Dooley, Jack Stigner, Julie Nesher, Lucy Hopkins, Maz Davis, Mella Faye, Oliver Harrison, Tom Penn.
Thursday night cast: Maz Davis – Emperor; Oliver Harrison – Magician; Tom Penn – Lover; Jack Stigner – Wish Maker; Lucy Hopkins – Fool; Mella Faye – Justice; Abigail Dooley – Devil.
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