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Written by Nathaniel J Hall

A Dibby Theatre Production

A HOMEMcr Commission

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Accessibility

BSL & Audio described dates across tour - see dates

 

Cast

Josh-Susan Enright (They/Them)

Nathaniel J Hall (He/They)

 

Creative Team

Writer and Exec Producer - Nathaniel J Hall (He/They)

Director – Scott Le Crass (He/Him)

Movement Directors – Plaster Cast: Aelien Brouwers (They/Them), Lizard Morris (They/Them)

​Stage Combat Director (Tour) - Emmy Lahoul (She/her)

Designer – Lu Herbert (They/Them)

Composer & Sound Designer – SHAR (Charlotte Barber) (She/her)

Sound Designer (Original Production)– Joel Clements (He/Him)

Lighting Designer – Tracey Gibbs (She/Her)

Projection Designer - ././ dede (Dee Dixon) (She/Her)

Dramaturgs – Cheryl Martin (She/Her), Barry McStay (He/Him), Rachel Clements (She/Her), Susan Kerr (She/Her)

Cultural Engagement (Original Production) – Tolu Ajayi (He/They/She), mandla (name as pronouns) 

Rehearsal  Support - Susan Kerr (She/Her)

 

Production Team

Producer – Ross Carey (He/Him)

Associate Producer (Tour) - Roxanne Carney (She/Her)

Interim Producer (Tour) - Amanda Fawcett (She/Her)

Production Manager – Joel Clements (He/Him)

Company Stage Manager (Original Production) - Ronly Lam (He/Him)

Company Stage Manager (Tour) - Amy Tinniswood

Swing Stage Manager (Tour) - Thomas Kerr (He/Him)

Re-lighter (Tour) - Megan Lucas (She/Her)

Set Construction - Ben Cook (He/Him), Simon Pemberton (He/Him)

Scenic Painting - Caitlin Line (She/Her)

Accessibility and Inclusion Producer (Tour) - Ash Cox (They/She)

PR Consultant – Rachel Furst (She/Her)

Marketing Associate - Natalie Beech (She/Her)

Photography and Poster Design - Lee Baxter (He/Him)

Trailer Design - Gavin Wood (He/Him)

Production Photography - Dawn Kilner (She/Her)

Production Videography - Georgiana Ghetiu (She/Her)

BSL Interpreter (Original Production) - Russ Andrews (He/Him)

Captioner (Original Production)  - Stevie Burrows  (They/Them)

Environmental Sustainability Consultant - Robin Lyons (He/Him)

Production Assistant (Original Production) - Ash Cox (They/She)

Rehearsal Room Support (Tour) - Brit Seaton (She/They) and Sasha Georgette (She/They)

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tour dates

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Mercury Theatre, Colchester - Thurs 13 & Fri 14 March
TICKETS

Playhouse Theatre, Sheffield - Thurs 20 & Fri 21 March (SOLD OUT)
TICKETS

Unity Theatre, Liverpool - Thurs 27 March

TICKETS

Hat Factory, Luton - Thurs 3 & Fri 4 April
Post show Q&A with Nathaniel J Hall, Josh-Susan Enright and guest chair, Kelsie Holdstock-Clarke from Luton Sexual Health.
TICKETS

Loading Bay, Part of Bradford 2025 - Weds 9 April (SOLD OUT)

(BSL interpreted & Audio described performance)
TICKETS

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield - Fri 11 April
Post show Q&A with Nathaniel J Hall, Josh-Susan Enright and guests from The Brunswick Centre, CEO John Mckernaghan and HIV Prevention Worker, Anne Glew.
TICKETS

The Lowry, Salford - Weds 16-Sat 19 April (SOLD OUT)
With Nathaniel J Hall, Josh-Susan Enright and guest chair, Access and Inclusion Producer Ash Cox (17 April)
(Relaxed performance 17 April)

(BSL interpreted performance 19 April)
TICKETS

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough - Thurs 24 April
With Nathaniel J Hall, Josh-Susan Enright and guest chair, George Wakely from Scarborough Pride.
TICKETS

Curve, Leicester - Fri 25 & Sat 26 April

(BSL interpreted performance 26 April)
TICKETS

 

The Old Market Brighton - Tues 6 -Weds 7 May

(BSL interpreted performance 7 May)

TICKETS

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton - Fri 9 May
Post show Q&A with Nathaniel J Hall, Josh-Susan Enright and guest chair, Will Jackson (he/they) - West Midlands based writer & theatremaker.

(Audio described performance)

TICKETS​

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BSL TRAILER

AUDIO FLYER

00:00 / 01:00

About the show

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Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, Toxic is the critically-acclaimed new show from award-winning theatre maker Nathaniel J Hall (First Time, It’s A Sin).

“This is the story of how we met, fell in love, and f*cked it up.”
 
Manchester 2017. A chance meeting on a hook-up app sets two damaged thirty-something hearts on a spectacular collision course. Born into Thatcher’s Britain of race riots and rampant homophobia and growing up in the shadow of Aids and Section 28, the pair form a trauma bond so tight, they might just survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave.
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This explosive semi-autobiographical show written by Nathaniel J Hall and performed by Nathaniel with Josh-Susan Enright blends storytelling (dir. by Scott Le Crass), movement (Plaster Cast), stunning design (Lu Herbert), visual projections and lighting (dede ././ and Tracey Gibbs) and an original pumping soundtrack by SHAR.
 
Inspired by true events, Toxic is a powerful and passionate play that pulls back the glittery curtain of pride to reveal a place where many still suffer the devastating impact of generational HIV stigma, racism, homophobia and toxic gender norms.
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Content Warning: Contains scenes of an adult nature that some may find distressing.
Age Guidance: 18+

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"An intimate portrayal of queer love, aching with authenticity, pain and joy."

Russell T Davies

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"A starkly beautiful, honest and funny dive into the realities of a break up. Go see it."

Divina de Campo

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 â˜… ★ ★ ★ ★ "Brilliant writing, talented and powerful performances and very strong production values all round."
North West End

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 â˜… ★ ★ ★ ★"This show is far from Toxic - it is a breath of fresh air."
West End Best Friend

 

 â˜… ★ ★ ★ "a beautiful reminder to us all to live life with pride"

Curtain Call Reviews

 

 â˜… ★ ★ ★ "Very thought-provoking”
Your MCR

 

"beautifully captures the queer desire to be seen and understood"

Mancunian Matters

 

"a fearless exploration of HIV stigma, racism, homophobia, and toxic gender norms"

I Love MCR

 

"a powerful piece and very well acted"

Canal Street Media

SOCIAL, POLITICAL & CULTURAL CONTEXt

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HIV – A Scientific and Sexual Revolution
The play is set during an important time of change in the scientific understanding of HIV. In 2017, based on findings from multiple research projects across the world, scientists, activists and NGOs gained consensus on what is now known as Undetectable=Untransmittable, or U=U.


Research conclusively confirmed that people with HIV on effective medication, with an ‘undetectable’ viral load (less than fifty viral copies in 1mL of blood), cannot pass on the virus to others.


Along with increased access to testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), medication taken before sex that offer excellent protection against transmission, U=U has transformed the lives of people living with or affected by HIV.


For more, visit:
www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2018/july/undetectable-untransmittable


Societal Prejudice and Minority Stress
Despite growing acceptance in the UK, LGBTQ+ people are still more likely to experience multiple disadvantages:

 

  • 1 in 3 people with HIV face stigma from their family, friends or workplace (Terrence Higgins Trust)

  • Half of LGBTQ+ from the global majority face racism from within the LGBTQ+ community (Stonewall)

  • 1 in 4 gay and 1 in 3 bisexual people suffer domestic abuse after age 16 (Stonewall)

  • Gay men are 3 times more likely to use illegal substances than heterosexual men (Crime Survey, England and Wales)

  • Half of LGBTQ+ people have faced depression, 3 in 5 have faced anxiety (Stonewall)

  • 1 in 8 LGBTQ+ people aged 18-24 have attempted to end their life (Stonewall)


Inspired by Nathaniel’s lived experience and other stories gathered through outreach, Toxic opens a non-judgmental dialogue about the impact of HIV, homophobia, toxic gender norms and racism on queer relationships.

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GLOSSARY

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HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
A virus that attacks the immune system, present in bodily fluids. Transmitted though unprotected sexual contact, blood to blood (e.g. sharing needles) and mother to baby during birth/ breastfeeding (this last way is rare thanks to screening and
medication).


Advanced HIV
A less stigmatised term now often used in place of AIDS.


PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
Medication taken before sex to prevent transmission of HIV. Highly effective if taken as prescribed. Available on the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales. Condoms remain an effective method of preventing HIV transmission.


U=U (Undetectable=Untransmittable)
A person who has been on HIV treatment for over six months, whose viral load is ‘undetectable’, cannot pass the virus on to others.


SSRIs
A type of anti-depressant medication commonly prescribed in the UK.

For up-to-date information on HIV always seek advice from reputable websites. We recommend:
www.tht.org.uk | www.ght.org.uk | www.nat.org.uk | www.unaids.org

 

SUPPORT & SERVICES

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We Are Survivors

We’re proud to be partnered with We Are Survivors, a Manchester-based charity supporting male (including trans and non-binary people) survivors of abuse.

0800 800 5055 | www.wearesurvivors.org.uk

 

Galop

Galop is the national charity supporting LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.

0800 999 5428 | www.galop.org.uk

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HIV SUPPORT

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George House Trust – the official charity partner of Toxic

GHT offer a range of support and advocacy services for people living with or affected by HIV in the North-West of England.

0161 274 4499 | www.ght.org.uk

 

Terrence Higgins Trust

The UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity with services across London, the South-West and the rest of the UK.

0808 802 1221 | www.tht.org.uk

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Prepster

Activist-led organisation aiming to educate and agitate for PrEP access in England and beyond.

www.prepster.info

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OTHER SUPPORT

 

Our Room Manchester

Our Room Manchester is a creative community for male, trans & non-binary people who sex work, offering opportunities to be involved in high quality artistic projects.

0161 834 1827 | www.ourroom.org.uk

 

LGBT Foundation

LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities

0345 3 30 30 30 | www.lgbt.foundation

 

Mind

Mind is a national charity providing advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

0300 123 3393 | www.mind.org.uk

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TOXIC

By Nathaniel J Hall

Two queer people kissing at a party
A queer person drunk and rolling on the floor
Tour Dates
SUPPORT & SERVICES
BSL TRAILER
AUDIO FLYER
Social, Political and Cultural Context
GLOSSARY
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