A heartbreaking and unflinchingly honest exploration of queer love comes to the Curve theatre in Leicester next month, writes Charlie Dowey.
Toxic, which enjoyed a sell-out debut at HOME in Manchester in 2023 is written and performed by HIV activist Nathaniel J Hall, who starred in Channel 4’s cathartic five-part drama It’s A Sin.
It’s set in the hedonistic, neon-lit chaos of Manchester’s underground queer rave scene, and follows the wild, messy love story of two damaged thirty-somethings who, in their own words, ‘meet, fall in love, and f*ck it up.’
Raised in the fiercely radical era of Thatcher’s Britain, with race riots and rampant homophobia swirling around them, and shaped by the looming spectre of AIDS, the protagonists find solace in each other – a bond forged in trauma so suffocating, it might just keep them going. But sometimes, the toughest thing about survival is knowing when to let go.
This semi-autobiographical play plunges audiences into an intoxicating story that is told through a heady mix of explosive storytelling, witty dialogue, original music and club visuals.
Hall has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary LGBTQ+ theatre. In creating Toxic, the award-winning playwright delved deeper into the darker aspects of LGBTQ+ life, pouring over countless books to inform the production which marks Hall’s return to the stage since his debut play, First Time, reached its 100th performance in early 2022.
“I realised just how exhausted I was from battling societal shame and stigma every day, and how alcohol, drugs and the pursuit of sex were the perfect escapes from tackling it head on,” says Hall, 38. “I discovered how many other LGBTQ+ people were carrying all this, and in the case of my Black and Asian, trans and disabled friends, a whole load more… I cried a whole ocean.”
“When the world treats us so badly, why do we end up treating ourselves and each other badly too? In workshops with other LGBTQ+ people conversations flowed about HIV, gender, race, money, sex work. It became clear to me that despite the modern pride movement, behind closed doors many of us still battle deep shame and self-worth issues stemming from societal prejudice.”
“Toxic is a love letter to all my exes and myself, and I hope it helps others who may be struggling with shame to feel less isolated. When it premiered at HOME last year, I was so thrilled to see people laughing out loud with us AND crying buckets with us. I hope it connects with audiences on tour in an equally powerful way.”
Toxic plays at Curve on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Tickets start from £10. To book, click here.
