The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me | Seven Dials Playhouse

Written by David Drake, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me displays a personal awakening of activism sparked by Larry Kramer’s queer classic The Normal Heart. Charting one man’s wake up call amidst the fury and fear of the AIDS crisis and the rise of the ACT UP movement in New York. It is, undeniably, a story that matters.

The opening moments promise a searing exploration of theatre as activism, the electric and vital jolt when art moves from being purely entertainment and starts forming itself into a call to crisis and we see how deeply our performer is affected by the theatre they consume, something all too relatable. The closing moments of the show return to that strength, offering heartfelt tributes to those lost during the AIDS epidemic and an uplifting celebration of queer futures still being written. Yet between those strengths lies a more uneven journey.

What begins as an exciting potential, gradually begins to weave itself into something that feels closer to a string of extended spoken-word pieces all by different artists. Themes of sex culture and gym culture are explored, whilst absolutely relevant within the queer experience and the politics of the body, they are lingered on far longer than their impact can speak for. The repetition throughout these sequences dulls the importance and the show's momentum stalls. Whilst there are some staggeringly important and powerful conversations to be had coming from these scenes, they felt as if they belonged to a different show. The activism that once felt urgent begins to blur into new messages and we loose the characters journey and temporarily misplace the fire this work clearly wants to ignite.

At the core of the show is Gabriel Clark, delivering an undoubtedly impressive 75-minute solo performance of stamina and sincerity. Clark captures the coming of age thrill of political awakening genuinely; mixing feelings of anger, desire, grief and glittering hope with emotional intelligence and striking precision. His character shifts are clearly thought out and impactful, and even when the text drifts away, he never lost the audience’s attention. There is genuine care here, a performer deeply invested in honouring both the words and the history behind them.

Visually, the production is slick and assured at a high fringe theatre level. David Claire’s lighting design works in excellent tandem with Dick Longsin’s set, creating a dynamic language that often communicates with more clarity than can be said for the script. The through line of the ACT UP logo is particularly effective, a bold visual anchor reminding us of the show’s political backbone even when the narrative strays away from such themes. Hannah Bracegirdle’s sound design injects vibrancy and wit, especially in the early scenes where queer and theatrical cultural references land with charm and enable the audience to place themselves into this story.

Under Adam Zane’s direction, transitions are sleek, though not always crystal clear. Shifts in time and place occasionally arrive without sufficient signposting, particularly in scenes where a younger version of the protagonist appears in moments of what seemed to be prayer. Whilst the identity of the character is understandable, the intention behind these sequences feels convoluted, creating distraction rather than depth.

And yet, despite its structural wobble, there is something undeniably heartfelt about this production. The entire creative teams work reflects commitment and passion towards this important material. Their passion for the message, and for the queer community is undeniable and what brings the show strength. When the show is focused, it pulses with relevance and education, importantly reminding that theatre at its core is activism, remembrance and rebellion intertwined. However, potential is still lost and the excitement of this message had even further potential than was explored through the material.

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me may stray into side quests and lose clarity along the way, but its heart remains firmly in the right place. And sometimes, in arts and activism, heart counts for a great deal and this is certainly a piece that shows heart.

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me plays at Seven Dials Playhouse until 01st March 2026 - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Dawn Kilner