When recovering alcoholic Dave receives a text message inviting him over to his family's house to meet his grandson at Christmastime, he finds himself wrestling with his own demons and financial hardship to make good with his family again.

It's called your Christmas scar!
If you have a scar from Christmas – you've wrecked the day.

It's Sue's tattoo.

It’s the 23rd of December and Dave is preparing his Christmas tradition – to party like it's 1994. The drinks are flowing, the music is pumping. Tonight's going to be a good night. Until the buzz from his phone stops the noise – bringing him back to the real world.

It’s a text that gives him the chance to create a new Christmas tradition and meet his grandson for the first time. Join Dave on this epic festive quest as he battles to buy a Christmas present for his six-year-old grandson.

First produced in 2019 to sell-out audiences at Alphabetti Theatre and critical acclaim, Present was written and directed by Ali Pritchard, Alphabetti Theatre's founder and Artistic Director from 2012 until 2024.

This edition was published to coincide with the production at Newcastle's Live Theatre in December 2024.