New Queer comedy to premiere at Waterside in July

Sale’s Waterside is set to host the world premiere of a bold new comedy, Daddy’s First Gay Date, written and performed by Sam Danson.

It is the latest co-commission with Creative Industries Trafford; the show will debut for two nights only on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 July 2025 at Waterside.

Following the critically-acclaimed success of his previous one-man show BI-TOPIA – which premiered at Waterside in May 2023 – Danson returns with a sharp, heartfelt and hilarious new play exploring identity, self-acceptance and what it means to come out as LGBT later in life.

Directed by the award-winning Rikki Beadle-Blair, Daddy’s First Gay Date invites audiences to join Ben, a middle-aged father navigating the unfamiliar terrain of first dates, queer culture and self-discovery. From an awkward break-up in a local village pub to the euphoric chaos of a big gay rave, the show promises a Northern rom-com rollercoaster full of humour.

“Is it selfish to leave someone you love in order to find yourself?” the play asks. As Ben stumbles through the highs and lows of his very first date with a man, audiences are taken on a journey that is at once cringe-inducing, deeply moving and laugh-out-loud funny.

Darren Adams, venue manager at Waterside, says: "We’re incredibly proud to be supporting new voices and stories through our theatre commissions and delighted to bring Sam back to Waterside – his writing is funny and fiercely honest. After the huge success of BI-TOPIA, we’re excited to welcome audiences back for the premiere of what we know will be another unforgettable show."

• Daddy’s First Gay Date

• Thursday 17 and Friday 18 July from 8pm

• Tickets £16 | £14