Daddy’s First Gay Date at Seven Dials Playhouse Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Daddy’s First Gay Date follows Ben (Sam Danson, also writer and producer) as he comes out as bisexual to his girlfriend Helen (Megan Edmondson) after fifteen years together. Over two hours we are treated to a rollercoaster of events, taking us from village pubs where everybody knows one another to big nights out in Manchester.
We meet Ben and Helen in the midst of a very difficult conversation, with waiter Tim (Dior Clarke) listening in. Perspectives switch, from the focus being on Ben and Helen and then onto animated conversation Tim is having on the telephone. The back and forth works really well, and is extremely entertaining to watch. Cue some wine swigging, talk of orgies, a dalliance in the gents and the party starts!
Daddy’s First Gay Date excels when it comes to humour, with Danson’s script and delivery on point. We see him flounder his way through bisexuality, from expecting a bright pink cocktail and wearing a vest thinking that this is his new ‘norm’. It’s all very overtly funny and written to get a laugh out of the audience, which it absolutely does. I get it, the topics at hand are tough and the reality for many people and so I perhaps would have liked more emotion to have been injected. I feel like this would truly emphasise the impact on Ben’s coming out on others as well as himself. Seven Dials Playhouse website describes the show as an exploration of ‘identity, self acceptance and coming out at LGBT later in life.’ I’ve no qualms in saying it did do exactly that to an extent, but I do think these are themes which could have had some more depth to them.
Running at two hours, with a short interval, the show kept up the pace. There were a few moments peppered throughout which I found totally unexpected - in a good way – and kept me hooked throughout. The energy was high and infectious; I left the show feeling warm hearted and well and truly entertained.
Clarke was a joy to watch, particularly whilst throwing some impressive moves atop a table in a nightclub. Of all three characters, Tim is the one with the most depth with his own struggles being explored too. Edmondson keeps her cool as Helen which, I won’t lie, I was slightly puzzled at. Considering the bombshell she was given at the start of the show, and having to pick Ben up from train stations and flings’ apartments in the middle of the night, you would really expect some soap opera style exchanges. Nevertheless, lovely to watch. Danson bumbles away as Ben, making rogue decisions, and not just the choice of vest. The three characters are very likeable and actually quite loveable too. You just want the best for all of them.
Daddys First Gay Date is a joy to watch, especially as the cold drizzly nights are drawing in. Expect to feel all fuzzy and happy, to belly laugh and to lose yourself in this wonderful Northern comedy.
At Seven Dials Playhouse until 16th November 2025.
★★★★
