Review: TOXIC, HOME Manchester - Tour

This show is not about gay shame. This show is not a broken love story. This show is not about attempts to 'fill the holes to make us whole'. This semi-autobiographical, Dibby Theatre production is actually all of these and a whole lot more.

Manchester 2017. The Playwright (Nathaniel J Hall - He/They) and the Performer (Josh-Susan Enright - They/Them) meet amongst the heat of the club, trauma bonding over their upbringing around race riots, raging homophobia and HIV stigma whilst falling in love. These two individuals teach us about heartbreak, letting go and knowing when to close the door, a narrative which, in ways, is relatable to all.

Hall and Enright work collaboratively with ease and are truly a watchable pair. The piece is intelligently constructed with the physical direction perfectly balanced with the subdued, yet incredibly powerful, dialogue. Movement direction from Plaster Cast's Ayden Brouwers and Lizard Morris is to be praised as the juxtaposition of the staccato and fluid choreography brings the characters' lives and relationship into perspective: they know that it is toxic but they struggle to let go.

Designer Lu Herbert should be congratulated from the off. The stage is set with a great spectacle piece: a neon wire traces through the different elements of the pairs' lives together and forebodes their periods of distress. Stylistically, the set compliments the performance and is used as an aid to the storytelling within the narrative. It would be foolish not to also mention the craft of lighting and projection designers, Tracey Gibbs and Dee Dixon, respectively. The work of this pair, alongside the set piece, establishes the mood and atmosphere throughout the piece and helps to intensify key narrative moments. Technically, this theatre piece sparks a creative ignition.

Toxic is not just a tragedy about two individuals facing their own and collective issues but a celebration of queer resilience and pride. While the audience is encouraged to confront their own emotions, the story reminds us that, sometimes 'to get closure, we need to learn to close the door ourselves.'

This show is far from Toxic - it is a breath of fresh air.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Harley Keasey

Toxic plays at HOME, Manchester until 28 October before touring the UK in 2024.