Daddy’s First Gay Date is a wonderfully camp, queer rom-com that’s as uplifting as it is funny. With moments of heartbreak, despair, and genuine tenderness, we follow the story of a naïve and adorably honest young man grappling with the realities of gay life in a small northern backwater village.
Beautifully written by Sam Danson, who also stars as confused twenty-something Ben, the play opens on the night he breaks up with his girlfriend Helen (Megan Edmondson). That same evening, Ben encounters Tim – a flamboyant waiter played with radiant energy by Dior Clarke, who inadvertently witnesses both the poorly-timed break-up and the bombshell reveal that Ben is about to become a father.
What follows is a delightfully messy tragi-comedy of romantic entanglement. Ben and Tim’s hilariously saucy impromptu encounter leaves poor, pregnant Helen stumbling upon them in an exquisitely awkward scene. The story unfolds from there: Helen moves on and finds some fun of her own, while Ben and Tim attempt to navigate the minefield of queer life in a provincial town.
Tim, a black, expressive, and sparkly-clad ball of exuberance, has his own struggles to contend with, not least the casual racism he endures locally. Yet he remains compassionate and grounded, offering Ben guidance and wisdom as Ben slowly learns to express himself in ways that feel authentically his. I particularly enjoyed Ben’s idea of a “gay outfit” (helpfully supplemented by Helen’s wardrobe), which provides one of the show’s funniest moments, complete with Tim’s affectionate and lightly mocking commentary.
Danson and Clarke have an engaging chemistry that is, at times, both poignant and comedic. Their mutual attraction is obvious, but their communication skills are so mismatched that it’s difficult to predict where their story will lead. Danson plays Ben with a believable mix of innocence and eagerness, while Clarke brings sass, confidence, and a generous splash of sauciness to Tim.
Edmondson shines as Helen, the supportive ex, expectant mother, and the silent anchor holding chaos at bay. Her performance is warm, measured, and quietly powerful. Together, the trio’s dynamic is solid, playful, and impressively well-timed.
This is a suitably irreverent tale, full of silliness, queerness, and unapologetic joy, that makes for a thoroughly entertaining couple of hours. Underneath the glitter and giggles, the play sensitively examines the difficulties of coming out, the shame and awkwardness of self-discovery, and the intimidating leap into an unknown life, especially without the comfort or anonymity of a big city. It also highlights, crucially, the hope and kindness found in human connection.
Go, laugh, feel, and have fun!
Review by Bernadette Lintunen
In Daddy’s First Gay Date, Ben, a man in his 30s, finally finds the courage to leave a 15-year relationship – only to discover, that very night, he’s about to become a father. As he bids farewell to his ex-girlfriend, he tumbles headlong into his first encounter with a man. Both tender and funny, the play is a rom-com that unpicks masculinity, shame, bisexuality, and the messy, hopeful reality of queer life beyond the big city.
Sam Danson – Ben
Dior Clarke – Tim
Megan Edmondson – Helen
Written by Sam Danson
Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair
DADDY’S FIRST GAY DATE
Seven Dials Playhouse
28 October to 16 November 2025
