Queer Play Reading Club - First Time by Nathaniel J Hall

Queer Play Reading Club is a monthly event from Queer Theatre, held in partnership with Nick Hern Books, celebrating LGBTQ+ playwriting in a supportive, Queer-run, social space. Each session begins with up to an hour of brand-new queer writing, giving LGBTQIA+ playwrights and writers the chance to share short scenes or monologues and receive supportive feedback. We then move into a group reading of a full-length published play, with relaxed discussion and Q&A with the author, facilitated by Queer Theatre’s Artistic Director, Andrew Keates.

This month’s play: First Time by Nathaniel J. Hall

Can you remember your first time?

In this hilarious and heartbreaking true story, theatre-maker and activist Nathaniel Hall can't seem to forget his. To be fair, he's had it playing on repeat for the last fifteen years… but now he's ready to lift the lid on his life-changing secret.

First presented by Dibby Theatre and Waterside Arts, First Time went on to critical and audience acclaim on tour of the UK and at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It smashes through the stigma and shame of HIV, to present an uplifting and inspirational guide to staying positive in a negative world.

Every ticket includes a copy of the play-text, and attendees will receive exclusive discounts on other Nick Hern Books titles to continue exploring LGBTQ+ stories at home.

Special Guest Announcement

We are delighted to announce Nathaniel J. Hall will be in attendance to answer questions and share his experiences as an actor, artistic director, activist and playwright.

Nathaniel J Hall is an award-winning writer, performer and HIV activist known for his stigma-smashing shows First Time and Toxic. His community-led creative activism has directly reached over tens of thousands through creative workshops and talks and tens of millions through broadcast media and in print. He appeared as Donald Bassett in the hit C4 drama It’s A Sin and recently fronted a documentary for C4 on the HIV subculture of bug chasing. Nathaniel is Artistic Director of Dibby Theatre, an LGBTQ+ touring theatre company based in Salford. 

Itinerary

Tea, coffee and snacks from 6:30pm
Session starts at 7pm 
Finishes approximately 10:30pm
Drinks and socialising until late

Getting There

The Railway, Clapham
18 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UR

By Tube: The venue is a 1-minute walk from Clapham North (Northern line) and just 5 minutes from Clapham Common.
By Overground: Clapham High Street Station is directly opposite the venue.
By Bus: The venue is served by multiple routes including the 50, 88, 155, 322, and 345.
By Train: Clapham Junction is a short bus ride away, with connections across London and the South East.

Accessibility

The event takes place in an upstairs space which is accessible only by stairs. If you have access needs or questions, please contact us in advance so we can support your visit as best we can.

Important Information

This is not a performance, but an informal exploration of the play’s text. Scenes will be read aloud by members of the group who wish to participate. As such, roles may be read in ways that differ from their original casting intentions – including across gender, race, age, sexuality, and lived experience. We actively welcome this openness, while also encouraging those with lived experience that reflects the characters to volunteer for roles where appropriate.

If you are a writer wishing to have your own work shared aloud during the opening section, please bring an excerpt of no more than five minutes in length to allow space for other writers to share as well. Please note we may not have time to include everyone’s work on the night.

This event is part of Queer Theatre’s commitment to ensuring LGBTQ+ theatre-makers always have somewhere to go each week to connect, create, and be inspired, alongside our 2B: Acting Classes, OutCast showcases, theatre trips, parties, social events, masterclasses and shows.