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An intimate portrayal of queer love, aching with authenticity, pain and joy.
—Russell T. Davies, screenwriter and TV producer
Manchester, 2017. During a hot and sweaty queer warehouse party, two damaged hearts collide. He is HIV+ and drowning in shame. They are one microaggression away from a full-on meltdown. Together, they form a bond so tight, they might just survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave.
Pulling back the glittery curtain of pride to reveal the devastating impact of generational HIV stigma, racism, homophobia, and repressive gender norms, Nathaniel J. Hall's Toxic is a powerful, passionate play celebrating survival and the resilience of the queer spirit.
Incredibly powerful…a celebration of queer resilience and pride.
—West End Best Friend
An honest and ultimately positive tale, told with confidence and tenderness.
—Reviews Hub
Perfectly straddles the line between the tragic and the comedic…If trauma is toxic, Toxic is an antidote.
—Northern Soul
Poetic, moving and often very funny…a celebration of life in all complexity…Hall reveals himself here as a master of his craft.
—Big Issue North
A riveting theatrical journey that delves into the profound challenges faced by two LGBTQ+ individuals, offering an emotional exploration of love, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit.
—I Love Manchester
Nathaniel J. Hall is a theatremaker and HIV activist. He is co-artistic director of Dibby Theatre. He has delivered projects for Contact Theatre, the Royal Exchange Theatre, 20 Stories High, Wellcome, Trans Creative, Manchester Pride, George House Trust, the LGBT Foundation, and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. His plays include Toxic (Dibby Theatre tour, 2025), and First Time (Dibby Theatre and Waterside Arts, Manchester, 2018; Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2019).
Nathaniel has lived with HIV since the age of sixteen and is a prominent voice in HIV activism, having told his personal story across many platforms, including on BBC Radio and BBC News, MTV UK, Buzzfeed UK and Attitude magazine. He advocates for better representation of LGBTQ+ and HIV+ actors across the industry.