Luton.Events
Thu 3rd Apr 2025

Toxic

7:30pm - 9:00pm
Price: £12 + 10% booking fee

Live Performance

BOOK NOW

Visit Website

Toxic is the story of two queer people who, in their own words, ‘meet, fall in love and f*ck it up.’

Written in Nathaniel’s unmistakeable heartbreaking and hilarious style, the play is a rollercoaster ride through their tumultuous and passionate relationship as they struggle to tame the ghosts of their pasts.

He is HIV+ and drowning in shame. They are queer and one microaggression from a full-on breakdown.

When their lives collide, the pair form a bond so tight they might just survive it all. But the collective trauma of their troubled pasts weighs heavy, and soon they find themselves taking the pain out on one another: sexually, emotionally, psychologically, even physically.

With a vow to stay together no matter what (heteros taught us in sickness and in health, right?) the relationship spirals but the pair still cling to the belief that the bond they’ve formed will help them survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave.

Pulling back the glittery curtain of the modern pride movement, Toxic reveals a place where many still suffer the devastating impact of generational HIV stigma, racism, homophobia and toxic gender norms.

Inspired by true events in Nathaniel’s life and from stories gathered through creative outreach, this powerful and passionate play celebrates survival and the resilience of the queer spirit.

Nathaniel will be coming to The Hat Factory on Sat 15 Feb as part of LGBTIQ+ History Month to host an ‘In conversation with’ evening where they will be discussing the importance of the work, why it was made and speaking a little more about their life story with specific reference to social change and activism.

Dates

  • Thursday, April 3, 2025
  • Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, April 14, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, April 25, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, April 28, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, May 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, May 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, May 16, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, May 23, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, May 26, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, May 30, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, June 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, June 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, June 13, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, June 20, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, June 23, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, June 27, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, June 30, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, July 4, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, July 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, July 14, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, July 18, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, July 21, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, July 25, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, July 28, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, August 1, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, August 4, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, August 8, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, August 15, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, August 18, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, August 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, August 29, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, September 1, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, September 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, September 12, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, September 19, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, September 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Monday, September 29, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday, October 3, 2025 at 7:30pm - 9:00pm

The Hat Factory

The Hat Factory is Luton's leading arts and entertainment venue featuring live music, club nights, theatre, dance, films, children's activities, workshops, classes and gallery exhibitions.

It's a centre of artistic excellence set within a vibrant urban environment. It offers the young and the young at heart the chance to engage with the arts, to be inspired by the UK’s leading arts practitioners, and to develop artistic skills and confidence.

The Hat Factory is a combined arts venue in the centre of Luton. It opened in 2003 and since then has been the area’s main provider of contemporary theatre, dance and music. We work with both emerging and proven producers and artists, through programming, engagement programmes and our Associate Artist scheme. Their music programming is vibrant, offering an eclectic portfolio of high quality artists from the worlds of jazz, blues, folk, world music, indie and hip hop. Complementing their own programming, they welcome local/regional promoters to the venue, broadening their music offer and at the same time supporting young promoters and their businesses. They programme contemporary theatre and dance with a focus on fresh, new and relevant stories from both established and emerging touring companies who are making high quality work in the UK. They’ve programmed companies like Earthfall, Chickenshed, New International Encounter (NIE), Trestle, Menagerie, Eastern Angles, Atma, State of Emergency, 30 Bird, Tavaziva, Analogue and Jean Abreu Dance to name but a few.

Venue Hire

The Hat Factory has flexible spaces of various sizes to suit every need. See Venue Hire for more information.

Programming

To become part of The Hat Factory's programme, please contact our Head of Arts & Cultural Programmes, Fahim Qureshi at Fahim.Qureshi@LutonCulture.com

Visit Website

Other Live Performance Events

The Muslims Are Coming
Sat 5th Apr 2025

The Muslims Are Coming

The Muslims Are Coming … so round up your friends and join us for an uplifting night of laughter!

The Hat Factory

Live Performance

Creation: The Bubble Show
Tue 8th Apr 2025

Creation: The Bubble Show

The Highland Joker presents CREATION-The Bubble Show

The Hat Factory

Family Friendly Live Performance

Three Little Vikings
Thu 10th Apr 2025

Three Little Vikings

Three brave little Viking girls save the day in this bold and funny adventure story for little rebels, by the creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Little Red and I Can Catch a Monster, Bethan Woollvin.

The Hat Factory

Family Friendly Live Performance

See All Live Performance Events See All Events