The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester Review
Written by Thomas for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The award-winning Hope Mill Theatre is a small fringe venue with very cosy spacing situated in Ancoats, Manchester. Known for its high quality productions of musicals, original work, and other events. With other endeavours such as the Hope Mill Theatre School, its pioneering arts access to locals, keeping the arts alive and broadens its reach through other charitable affairs.
Walking into the intimate space, we’re greeted by the exposed brick of the black box theatre, the work of David Claire, lighting designer, a large LED upside-down pink triangle, originally a Nazi-era symbol to brand homosexual men, later reclaimed by the queer community in the 1970/80s as a sign of activism, setting the tone for the evening. The minimal architectural staging – created by Dick Longdin – is well utilised throughout, providing different levels and enabling character distinctions.
Obie-winning actor and playwright, David Drake originally starred in the 1992 debut performance of the semi-autobiographical, one-man show, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, a fierce, poetic expression of queer identity, activism, and survival. The work stands as a landmark in LGBTQ+ theatre, offering a deeply personal yet politically charged narrative that conveys the urgency of the early AIDS crisis while exploring enduring themes of community, love, and resistance that continue to resonate.
The play unfolds as a series of interconnected vignettes, Drake captures the life of a gay man from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood, travelling between past, present and future, throughout the AIDS epidemic of the 80’s. Drake employs a non-linear, lyrical structure that feels almost confessional, drawing the audience into a journey that is as emotionally intimate as it is politically charged.
Gabriel Clark playing the protagonist, navigates the work’s shifting tones: the tenderness of self-discovery, the intensity of desire, and the searing anger of watching friends die while society remains indifferent with ease. His very clear differentiation between characters was well received by the audience, showcasing his true versatility as an actor and a great storyteller.
A poignant, harrowing and inspiring piece of theatre, doing what theatre should do best, make people think about the art they’ve seen.
Plays until 14th February
★★★★
