A highlight of Red Ladder Local this June is the production BI-TOPIA, an “honest and raw but extremely funny coming-of-age story” that explores the complexities of being bisexual, delving into the often-overlooked connections between poor mental health and masculinity as well as sexuality.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the show’s writer/performer, Sam Danson, to learn about the personal journey which led to the creation of BI-TOPIA, a play a long time in the making.

After university, Sam began his career as a broadcast journalist for radio, finding it was the social issues that truly captured his interest.

It was the most natural thing to talk about the things that I cared about and try to start conversations that were productive.

Sam always had a passion for writing and performing, and these interests became major elements of his journalistic work. Resulting with a shift in focus and him collaborating with theatre companies.

I supported them in terms of the creative process and other projects. And that really ignited my passion to make theatre.

BI-TOPIA originated from this work, initially conceived as a piece about male mental health aimed at encouraging men to discuss their feelings. As the concept developed, it evolved into this coming-of-age story that examines how background and sexuality impact mental health and self-perception.

The show is about someone who comes from a military background and discovers that they’re bisexual which feels at odds with the idea of masculinity that they had grown up with, creating a lot of shame, and a lot of issues with identity.

It felt really exposing once we showed it and people all of a sudden knew about random details of your life… it feels like you no longer own those very personal things.

I didn’t realise how challenging it would be to talk about these themes that were so personal to me, and it was quite overwhelming. It was the first time I’ve experienced that.

Fortunately, with the support of those commissioning the show, Sam navigated this vulnerability and wanted to express his thanks to director Rikki Beadle-Blair who has also been a mentor to him over their collaboration.

Sam Danson ©Jason Lock Photography

Despite tackling serious issues, the play remains entertaining and humorous. The audience may not share the same issues as the character, but many of the mental health concerns and the reluctance of men to share their feelings resonate widely.

As well as the Red Ladder Local performance at The Cluntergate Centre on Saturday 22^nd June, Sam aims to tour BI-TOPIA extensively, fostering conversations about its themes at diverse venues where interested audience members can discuss the show’s topics, which he believes are crucial.

We discuss mental health and masculinity and identity and that kind of thing. People just don’t talk about that enough. Certainly not certain generations or certain men who grew up in a certain kind of environment. It is so important to give them a voice.

We’ve had really nice positive conversations with people across the country. Performing it has really helped me to feel like I understand my own mental health a lot more than I previously did, which is really important.

BI-TOPIA is not just a play; it’s a catalyst for essential conversations about identity, mental health, and masculinity. Through his work, Sam Danson is opening up vital discussions that resonate with many, offering both entertainment and a profound reflection on the human experience.

By John Heywood

BOOK HERE for BI-TOPIA at The Cluntergate Centre on Saturday 22nd June at 7:30pm.