REVIEW: DADDY'S FIRST GAY DATE @ SEVEN DIALS PLAYHOUSE

🎭 Daddy's First Gay Date

📍 Seven Dials Playhouse, 1A Tower Street, London, WC2H 9NP

🗓 Thursday 30th October 2025

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A RAUNCHY ROM-COM WITH A HEART OF GOLD!

As a huge supporter or queer theatre, new writing, and fringe theatre, I was elated to receive an invitation to watch and review DADDY'S FIRST GAY DATE, which opened this week at London's Seven Dials Playhouse.

Sam Danson's writing is pure, concentrated lightning in a bottle. This is new writing that feels both fiercely contemporary and timelessly human, exploring themes of queer identity, race, class, and self-acceptance with a raw and unflinching honesty. In a world of metropolitan queer visibility, Danson shines a light on the quieter, more complex realities of coming out in smaller, industrial Northern towns. This fresh and exciting in equal measures and reminded me of my own story of coming out in a small conservative community.

We meet Ben, freshly untethered from a 15 year relationship and facing impending fatherhood, as he comes out as bisexual and nervously embarks on his first date with a man. That man is Tim. A charismatic British-Jamaican Londoner who find himself far from home and wanting. to be loved.

The dynamic between the two is electric. A high-wire act of attraction, fear, and curiosity, all handled with an ingenious realistic touch. The writing captures every cringe-inducing, heart-pounding, and laugh-out-loud moment, making us feel like we're eavesdropping on a conversation we truly shouldn't be.

The sense of voyeurism is amplified by the outstanding performances from the incredible cast. Sam Danson delivers a beautifully nuanced and vulnerable portrayal of Ben, making his journey of self-discovery both relatable and deeply moving. His connection to the text is remarkable, drawing us fully into the story and never letting go.

Dior Clarke's Tim is a masterclass in controlled charisma, radiating both warmth and a quiet weariness born of experience. The chemistry between Clarke and Danson is palpable, building and shifting with every shared glance and hesitant touch. The brilliant Megan Edmondson completes the cast as the multi-faceted Helen, injecting the piece with bucket loads of emotional depth and humour.

In my humble opinion, this is one of the strongest casts I have seen on any stage this year. They each completely embodied every part of their characters, making them likeable and relatable. I really cared what happened to them all, and that doesn't always happen in theatre.

Under the precise, sensitive direction of Rikki Beadle-Blair, the narrative is a masterclass in comedic timing and emotional resonance. He expertly navigates the pressure-cooker environment of the dating world, moving from a painfully awkward restaurant breakup to a euphoric gay rave with seamless energy.

Beadle-Blair's understanding of diverse queer stories is evident throughout, and his direction ensures that the play's deeper questions about love, identity, and the search for oneself are given the space they deserve.

DADDY'S FIRST GAY DATE is more than just a rom-com, it's a poignant, hilarious, and unapologetically human piece of theatre that will stay with you long after you have left the theatre. For me this is undoubtedly the Fringe Theatre Show of the Year.

I loved absolutely everything about it. It never fell into the stereotypical traps that queer theatre can. Instead it delivers a story that feels so true that I'm certain every member of the audience could feel a connection to each character and relate to aspects of all of them.

This is an absolute must-see. DADDY'S FIRST GAY DATE is playing at Seven Dials Playhouse until Sunday 16th November. Click here to grab your tickets and get ready for a Northern rom-com rollercoaster!

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Daddy's First Gay Date was gifted by GingerBread Agency who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Sam Danson as Ben; Dior Clarke as Tim; Megan Edmondson as Helen

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 5 minutes, including interval

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