Daddy’s First Gay Date Review
What happens when you’re on the cusp of fatherhood and also embarking on your first-ever date with a man? That’s the central question explored in Daddy’s First Gay Date, the queer romcom making its London Debut at Seven Dials Playhouse this Autumn.
Set in the North Of England, the play offers a comic yet thoughtful look at how queer men navigate expectations—both external pressures to conform to masculine ideals and the internal voices of doubt. We meet Ben, a man in his 30s is working up the courage to question his sexuality and end his fifteen-year relationship with his girlfriend, Helen, who then informs him he is about to become a father. That same night, he meets Tim—a British-Jamaican man from London—and embarks on his first gay date.
The press release promises themes of bisexuality, internalised shame, and mental health. While these are present, I found myself wishing for deeper exploration. At times, the script leans heavily into comedy—Ben’s outfit choices for the night out or his impromptu request to crash at an audience member’s place—moments that feel designed more for laughs than emotional depth.
I appreciated that the characters are in their 30s and still figuring things out. That felt honest. The overall tone is hopeful: about trying to become the person you actually want to be, rather than the one you think you should be.
The story moves briskly from a local restaurant to a Manchester club, to cars, and even a cinema screening of Wicked: For Good. The staging is simple—chairs and tables rearranged to suggest different locations—with lighting helping to guide the shifts.
Written and performed by Sam Danson, the show draws on deeply personal themes. The Manchester-born actor, writer and journalist’s debut show Bi-topia, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair, earned 4- and 5-star reviews before touring nationally. Though Daddy’s First Gay Date is fictional, the themes feel deeply personal. Danson grew up in a small Northern town and came out as bisexual in his mid-twenties—an age that felt “late” compared to the stories he’d grown up with. He’s spoken candidly about navigating shame, masculinity, and identity, and that honesty comes through in the writing.
I’ve now been to Seven Dials Playhouse twice this month (see my review of Monster), and both shows tackled very different but important themes. Monster left me reflecting on society—those thoughts lingered for weeks. This time, I left feeling joyful. I also love that the intermission music is curated to echo the show’s themes.
Dior Clarke plays Tim with charm and vulnerability, though at times the performance veers toward caricature. Still, all three characters are likeable and grounded. Megan Edmondson’s Helen is calm, resisting the temptation to turn every scene into a dramatic showdown. One of the funniest moments comes when Edmondson and Danson belt out a song from Wicked- silly, full of energy and a glimpse into who they were as a couple. A moment later, there’s an emotionally honest exchange where Helen admits she wants to be angry, but also wants to support Ben on his journey. It’s not overplayed, just two people trying to figure out how to move forward with care.
Daddy’s First Gay Date is romcom with a big heart. It doesn’t dig as deep as it could, but it offers warmth, humour, and a hopeful reminder that it’s never too late to become who you really are.
Daddy’s First Gay Date runs from 28th October to 16th November.
Address: Seven Dials Playhouse
Website: https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/shows/daddys-first-gay-date
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevendialsplayhouse
Written by Caitlin Neal
