First Time

Can you remember your first time?

Nathaniel can’t seem to forget his. To be fair, he has had it playing on repeat for the last 15 years. Now the party is over, the balloons have all burst and he’s left living his best queer life.

Join Nathaniel after an all-night party, he hasn’t been to bed and he hasn’t prepared anything for the show (he’s only had 12 months and a grant from the Arts Council). But he can’t avoid the spotlight anymore and is forced to revisit his troubled past…

From sharing a stolen chicken and stuffing sandwich with a Will Young lookalike aged 16, to receiving the devastating news aged 17, to heart-breaking scenes devouring pills and powder for breakfast, to a candlelit vigil without a dry eye in the house, and finally to a surprising ending full of reconciliation and hope (and a houseplant from Mum).

It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions that audiences describe as ‘eye opening’, ‘educational’, ‘joyous’ and ‘stigma smashing’.

Narratives of HIV often portray people living with the virus as the victim. First Time doesn’t accept
this stance.

It deftly moves from sadness to humour, from moments of deep reflection to joyous celebration, leaving audiences surprised, moved entertained and empowered.

HIV+ queer artist and activist, Nathaniel Hall presents a funny and frank one-man show about attempting to stay positive in a negative world.

Includes post-show Q&A.