First Time at Waterside

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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First Time

Waterside, Manchester
25 July 2018-25 July 2019

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

First Time at Waterside
Image courtesy of Lee Baxter
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First Time is a brand new theatre show which explores one young man’s experiences of contracting HIV after the first time he had sex when he was 16. The show first premiered at Waterside in November last year. If you missed it the ‘first time’ around, you’ve got another chance to see this sell-out show before it takes the world (and Edinburgh Fringe) by storm.

First Time is a one-man show – funny, frank and unapologetic.

Written and performed by Nathaniel Hall, the timely story is told through a series of personal memoirs, poems, confessions and a drag alter-ego called Sue. First Time is a one-man show – funny, frank and unapologetic – about growing up gay and being HIV+ in a straight, HIV- world.

Manchester-born Nathaniel Hall is a theatre-maker, Queer artist and activist who aims to produce bold and provocative socially challenging work. Nathaniel was diagnosed as HIV+ two weeks after his 17th birthday and just months after coming out as gay. Keeping his HIV status a secret from friends and family for over 14 years, he’s now seeking to advocate better representations of HIV in popular culture.

An outstanding piece of new writing.

Founded by playwright Chris Hoyle, Dibby Theatre Productions launched in 2017. Dibby’s main aim is to produce exciting new writing for the stage. Don’t miss the chance to catch this outstanding piece of new writing at REFRACT:19.

Nathaniel Hall and Dibby Theatre are recipients of the Waterside’s MAKING WAVES bursary.

What's on at Waterside

Arun Ghosh launches Refract 25. Image courtesy of Dawn Kilner.
MusicManchester
Live Music at Refract 2025

Refract returns to Waterside this July with a genre-spanning music programme that’s as playful and unpredictable as the festival itself – and much of it is completely free.

From £0.00

Where to go near First Time at Waterside

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Bean and Brush Art Café

Bean & Brush is a family art café in Sale which serves simple, tasty food with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The bonus for parents is the arts and crafts studio which keeps the kids busy being creative while they can join in or relax with a coffee.

Manchester
Park
Grosvenor Square

Grosvenor Square is one of the few open spaces along Oxford Road Manchester; on sunny days, students from the nearby Manchester School of Art come out to bask.

Manchester
Park
Walkden Gardens

Walkden Gardens in the Manchester suburbs has all the makings of a fairy tale garden. As a venue, it’s hard to imagine a more magical gateway, a wonderful escape only a short(ish) stroll from the Brooklands Metrolink stop..

Sale
Restaurant
Meze & More

An intimate supper club in Sale, South Manchester, with a specialist focus on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine.

shop
Stretford
Shopping Centre
Stretford Mall

Stretford Mall has undergone a major transformation, turning a 60s shopping centre into a vibrant, community-led town centre. Led by Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works.

longford park ben williams
Manchester
Park
Longford Park

Longford Park in Stretford was created in the grounds of Longford Hall, the grand entrance steps of which remain.

Manchester
Park
Wythenshawe Park

With a 17th Century hall set in 109 acres of open parkland, Wythenshawe Park makes a super day out for all ages. Explore the historic woodlands, lush grasslands and meadows; take a stroll around the many themed gardens and check out the sports and leisure facilities on offer.

Beech Road, Chorlton
Bar or Pub
97 Chorlton

97 is a smart new cocktail bar from the team behind Tariff & Dale and The Lead Station, based on Beech Road in Chorlton.

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