The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me – Hope Mill Theatre

On the wettest night of February, after battling my way through football traffic and rain-soaked streets, I arrived at the stunning Hope Mill Theatre ready to be transported. What followed was an evening of provocative, challenging and ultimately moving theatre: The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, produced by Hive North by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc., written by David Drake, directed by Adam Zane, produced by Mike Lee, and performed by Gabriel Clark.

Originally published in 1994, David Drake’s ground breaking solo piece has become one of the longest running solo plays in New York theatre history. Structured as a series of abstract, poetic vignettes, it charts a gay man’s journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis that devastated the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s. The play is part memoir, part manifesto, part fever dream, told through heightened monologues, fragments of memory, music and raw confession.

Hive North’s production feels deeply personal. Director Adam Zane has spoken of how theatre can change minds and inspire activism, a belief that first took root for him with The Laramie Project. It was, however, seeing Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart that truly lodged itself in his consciousness. At the time, he admits he didn’t fully understand it, but he understood how it made him feel. He describes that experience as sexy, shocking, unapologetic and empowering. The impact stayed with him, and more than three decades later he has finally realised a long-held ambition to direct Drake’s play. His gratitude toward the creative team, particularly the LGBTQ+ artists involved and, most notably, Gabriel Clark is evident in the care and commitment of this production.

Gabriel Clark delivers an outstanding performance. Holding the stage alone for 75 minutes is no small feat, yet he commands it with confidence, vulnerability and fierce energy. I have previously had the pleasure of seeing Clark in Jock Night, Fright Night, and Lives at The Lowry, and he continues to demonstrate remarkable range. Screen audiences may also recognise him from Channel 4’s Tiptoe and Hollyoaks, but this performance showcases the full depth of his theatrical talent. His delivery is impassioned and precise, moving seamlessly between tenderness, rage, humour and heartbreak. It is, quite simply, phenomenal.

The text itself is intentionally abstract. Scene’s blur into one another; moments feel symbolic rather than literal. At times, the poetic language is captivating and electric. At others, it can be difficult to follow. As a 57-year-old woman, I found parts of the dialogue and certain references challenging to fully grasp, particularly in terms of their cultural and historical specificity. Yet that in itself speaks to the play’s authenticity. It is unapologetically rooted in queer experience. It speaks directly to a community forged through struggle, fighting for justice, dignity and survival.

The production also extends beyond the performance itself. During the run, guest speakers are invited to deepen the conversation. There was no guest speaker on press night, however, the previous night was Dr Monica B. Pearl, on the 12^{th of} Feb will be Act Up Manchester and on the 14^{th of} Feb Russell T Davies as a part of their gala event.

Staging at Hope Mill Theatre is minimal but effective. The use of triangular set pieces creates striking visual tableaux, though I was not entirely certain of their symbolic meaning – perhaps suggesting fragmentation, tension or the sharp edges of memory. Whatever their intention, they allow Clark’s performance to remain the focal point.

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me is not an easy watch, nor is it meant to be. It is bold, unapologetic and fiercely political. It serves as a reminder of how far the LGBTQ+ community has come and how much further there still is to go. Challenging though it may be at times, it is engaging, captivating theatre, and Gabriel Clark’s extraordinary solo performance alone makes it an evening worth braving the rain for.

The run continues until the 14^th February 2026 at Hope Mill Theatre and tickets can be purchased https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/the-night-larry-kramer-kissed-me/

So, grab a ticket, take your seat, and let Larry Kramer kiss you too – it is 75 minutes of passion, politics and poetry you won’t forget.

Reviewer: Katie Leicester

Reviewed: 11^th February 2026

North West End UK Rating: