Manchester is a very inclusive city and has the second-largest LGBTQ population in the UK (behind London). In fact, in 2011, Expogays named Manchester the most gay-friendly city in the world, even ahead of cities such as San Francisco and Amsterdam. After all, it’s where the UK version of TV’s hit series Queer As Folk was based.
One proud Mancunian is Nathaniel J Hall a Theatre Maker, Writer, Performer, and HIV Activist. He’s also the artistic director of Dibby Theatre an award-winning LGBTQ+ national touring theatre company based in Manchester who are producing Hall’s new drama.
TOXIC is a beautiful and explosive semi-autobiographical show that will performed by Hall with Josh-Susan Enright at HOME Manchester’s leading indie theatre who commissioned the piece.
It is set in Manchester in 2016 in the middle of a hot and sweaty queer warehouse party when two damaged hearts collide. He is HIV+ and drowning in shame. They are one microaggression away from a full-on meltdown. Born in Thatcher’s Britain of race riots and rampant homophobia and growing up in the shadow of Aids and Section 28, the pair form a trauma bond so tight, that they might just survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave.
In Hall’s own words “this is the story of how we met, fell in love, and f*cked it up. But it’s not just our story. It’s his, and his and theirs. Maybe it’s yours… Maybe.” “Toxic” is not just a play; it’s a testament to the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and a call for continued progress in creating safer and more inclusive spaces for all.
Dibby Theatre presents Toxic Wed 18 Oct – Sat 28 Oct
P.S. IF this will be your first visit to Manchester make sure you visit the city’s Gay Village
Labels: 2023, drama, Home, Manchester, Nathanial Hall, Toxic
