New show BI-TOPIA explores LGBTQ+ issues and male identity

Sam Danson’s new semi-autographical one man show BI-TOPIA takes a candid look at under-represented links between battling with poor mental health and the highs and lows of the bi-sexual experience.

When performer Danson was growing up his perceptions of manhood and the ideal male identity were influenced by the generations of men in his family who served in the military, and the war movies he was obsessed with. He wanted to be Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbour, Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan and sometimes even Rambo when he was angry.

Then as a young adult still grappling with his male identity he suffered a brutal homophobic attack which left him reeling with shock and shame. That left him asking himself the burning question – how can you call yourself an honourable man when you have become a victim?

To make sense of all these big issues he devised his solo theatre production BI-TOPIA, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE. It premiered at Waterside in Manchester in 2023, and after a positive response Danson decided to take it on tour in February 2024.

“This show has been over four years in the making, I wanted to write something that challenges the audience whilst also being energetic and entertaining,” says Sam Danson. “BI-TOPIA shares not just my story, but the experience of so many other LGBTQ+ people who have struggled and experienced homophobia.

“This story isn’t unique, it’s relatable, and that’s a huge problem in our society. I strongly believe in making work that confronts those issues, raises awareness for the communities left under-represented and destigmatises the real experience for many LGBTQ+ people.”                                                                                                                                                 

All dates are on sale.

Waterside

1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Trafford, M33 7ZF, UK

Friday 2 – Saturday 3 February 2024

7.45pm | £16 (£14)

Press Night: Friday 2 Feburary 2024

Box office: 0161 912 5616 | https://watersidearts.org/

Lawrence Batley Theatre (Cellar Theatre)

Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP

Wednesday 7 February 2024

7:45pm | £15

Box office: 01484 430528 | www.thelbt.org/  

Darlington Hippodrome (Hipp @ The Hullabaloo)

Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RR

Tuesday 13 February 2024

8pm | £15

Box office: 01325 405405 | www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk  

Storyhouse Chester

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Friday 16 February 2024

7.30pm | £12 + BF (separate prices for members and young members)

Box office: 01244 409 113 | www.storyhouse.com

Crewe Lyceum Theatre (Studio Theatre)

Heath Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DA

Tuesday 20 February 2024

8pm | £12

Box office: 0343 310 0050 | www.trafalgartickets.com/lyceum-theatre-crewe

Blackpool Grand Theatre (Studio Theatre)

33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HT

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 February 2024

7.45pm | £16.50 (£14.50)

Box office: 01253 290190

Hull Truck Theatre (Godber Studio)

50 Ferensway, Hull HU2 8LB

Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March 2024

8pm | £13.50 (£11.50) – – free post show talk on Friday 1 March after the performance

Box office: 01482 323638 | www.hulltruck.co.uk

Old Woollen

Sunny Bank Mills, 83- 85 Town Street, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5UJ

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Doors 7pm (for 8pm) | £12.50 + BF

Box office: 0743 488 1359 | www.oldwoollen.co.uk/

LIVE Theatre

Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ

Friday 8 and Saturday 9 March 2024

7.30pm | £14 (£12) – free post show talk on Friday 8 March after the performance

Box office: 0191 232 1232 | www.live.org.uk

Theatre By The Lake (Studio Theatre)

Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5D

Wednesday 12 June 2024

7.30pm | £16 (£12)

Box office: 017687 74411 | www.theatrebythelake.com/

Oldham Library Theatre

The Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, OL1 1AL

Wednesday 17 July 2024

7pm | £TBC

Box office: 01706672188 | www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/oldham/oldham-library-theatre