Pulling back the glittery curtain of toxic pride

Nathaniel J Hall and Josh-Susan Enright (r) in scene from Toxic. Pic: Dawn Kilner

Following its sold-out debut at HOME Manchester in 2023, actor, writer and HIV activist Nathaniel J Hall's play Toxic is embarking on a UK tour.

Set in the hedonistic world of Manchester’s underground queer rave scene, the semi-autobiographical play, from the city's Dibby Theatre, tells the story of two people born into a Britain of race riots and rampant homophobia, growing up in the shadow of Aids and Section 28.

Well-known for his community-led advocacy and activism, Hall has become a powerful voice on HIV and LGBTQ+ issues. But despite the success of a previous play and his casting in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 TV series It’s A Sin, he admits that behind closed doors he found himself locked in self-destructive behaviour and abusive relationships: “Telling my HIV story publicly transformed my professional life, but my personal life was in free fall," he said.

"I thought to myself, what’s really going on here? So I devoured books, checked myself back into therapy and cried buckets. I realised just how exhausted I was from battling shame and stigma every day, and how alcohol, drugs and the pursuit of sex were escapes from tackling it head on."

"In workshops with other LGBTQ+ people, conversations flowed and 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.

“Toxic is a love letter to all my exes and myself; I hope it helps others, who may be struggling, 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.”

The show is recommended for those 18 or over.

Tour dates so far confirmed are: Sheffield Playhouse (March 20-21); Unity Theatre, Liverpool (March 27); Bradford (April 9 - Loading Bay pop up venue for City of Culture); Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (April 11); Lowry, Salford (April 16-19) and Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (April 24).

NOTE: we originally mistakenly added Storyhouse in Chester to the venue list for the tour. In fact Toxic will visit not Chester but Unity Theatre in Liverpool, on March 27)

More info and tickets here