This deeply personal journey from diagnosis to finding a way to live with HIV is an absolute Tour De Force.
Nathaniel Hall in First Time | Photo © Andrew Perry
Nathaniel Hall, charged with passion and energy, holds the audience with such care and compassion throughout the evening, a magnetic performer with great skill and charm.
The intimacy of The Ustinov Studio is perfect for this tale of Northern grit and soul. How would you “come out” at nearly 17 in Manchester in 2003? The pain and heartbreak of the subsequent first time with Sam has an initial legacy of shame and fear but the final moments are of hope, pride and determination.
The interactive moments are great fun, the candlelit silence hugely moving. Pill taking scenarios are both grotesque and deeply affecting, as is the trauma of the first time when revisited.
Directed by Chris Hoyle, there is an energy and drive that brings surprising use of different pieces of set, swinging easily from scene to scene with humour and fun.
We never lose sight of the vulnerability of the good days and are compelled to stand alongside Hall when things are tough.
As an autobiographical piece, there is a huge heart at the centre of the journey. The resounding sense of hope and a future is uplifting and brings into sharp focus the brilliant advances in modern medicine.
It is hard to imagine a more important and vital piece of work to educate and support those affected by HIV or their loved ones.
Perhaps the letter we are sent away with could encourage those not yet honest or living in shadow with the people around them to take the risk to open up. It should be essential viewing for anyone affected by the issues surrounding diagnosis and survival.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
