After the success of BI-TOPIA, writer and performer Sam Danson has once again collaborated with legendary director Rikki Beadle-Blair for a new show about the bisexual experience.
Daddy’s First Gay Date is Danson’s first full-length play for multiple cast members and is set to tour the UK after an initial couple of dates at Sale’s Waterside theatre.
Much like BI-TOPIA, the show focuses on a slice of queer life that is sadly often underrepresented in mainstream culture. Danson takes the audience on an interesting and, often, unexpected journey.
Ben (Danson) and Helen (Megan Edmondson) are celebrating their 15-year anniversary at the local restaurant. Well, Helen thinks she is there to celebrate. To celebrate and to enjoy Ben popping the question.
Ben, on the other hand, thinks he there to let Helen know their relationship has run its course. Partly because he thinks he might be bisexual.
With the help of a decidedly uninterested waiter, played brilliantly by a vaping Dior Clarke, Ben attempts to break the news to his partner.
The events that follow force all three characters to assess their lives and to tackle issues of pregnancy, racism, narrowmindedness, drugs, coercive control, being true to oneself, therapy, loss, modern dating and, of course, sexuality.
Danson has developed an endearingly awkward performing style which is eminently watchable and likeable.
His physical comedy adds to the cringe brilliantly.
He rarely leaves the stage and delivers his funny and heartbreaking script with a natural believability which is, ultimately, the heart of this play.
However, it’s a real joy to see him interacting with both Edmonson and Clarke too.
Clarke, in particular, is a real talent, bringing pathos and complexity to his part as Tim. He also uses his body brilliantly, from some epic side eye to both gangly and sensual physicality.
Generally, the story is well-observed and empathetic. However, the structure and balance doesn’t always feel spot-on.
There is potentially a little too much time spent on the first half of the narrative arc, with the risk the characters initial negative reactions to events push them into the unlikeable territory.
Alternatively, the storytelling could be tightened up across the piece to keep it to a tight 90-minutes, which might help it deliver more of an emotional punch.
There are some fabulous stand-out moments. Danson’s monologues always deliver and his TK Maxx ‘help me dress gay’ routine was particularly brilliant.
The observations about bisexuality feel accurate and heartfelt. I imagine many people have been told they don’t ‘look’ bi because they don’t confirm to the Prince, Bowie fashion stereotypes.
Beadle-Blair has added some directorial magic to proceedings too. The music helps bind the scenes together and there are some clever sequences: at a rave, a hookup and a car singalong in particular.
The ending was satisfyingly sweet, even if it took a little too long to get there, and, overall, Daddy’s First Gay Date is another example of Danson’s ability to tell untold and complicated stories well.
Reviewer: Peter Ruddick
Reviewed: 18th July 2025
North West End UK Rating: