Sam Danson’s self-written BI-TOPIA is a tight, funny, one-man show that knows when to balance emotion with comedic timing.
From the moment Sam blasts his way on stage, rifle in hand, and stomps to life in his camo trousers, it’s clear that you’re going to be confronted with one version of masculinity. The care with which romanticised ideals of manhood, themes of toxic masculinity, and inherited trauma are handled is unexpected, however, as you’re whisked through the life of a bisexual man finding his place in the world.
When Sam turns to speak directly to the audience in BI-TOPIA, the comedy is tight enough to almost warrant being stand-up. Danson doesn’t shy away from using comedy to break up what would otherwise sometimes be a hard watch, leaving the audience with an authentic but hopeful depiction of queerness. This is balanced with expert dramatic acting, capturing the voice of a teen before growing with the performance to become a young man on stage.
Cultural touchpoints like Buzzfeed quizzes and First Aid Kit will ring true to queer audience members of a similar age. Sam (the character)’s story is unique enough to warrant telling but also relatable enough to draw you in, striking a fine line between showing and invoking empathy.
A school toilet, a customer-facing job, and a house party all become the frontlines in Sam’s war on himself. Danson knows when to let a hard truth sit, welcoming the audience into the often-cringeworthy moments, but also cracking a joke that reminds you this character has a heart.
It’s that heart that will have you rooting for Sam throughout BI-TOPIA. I won’t spoil the ending but, even when he lashes out and misbehaves, you find yourself hoping he finds his way through to the utopian moment of self-acceptance that the title hopes for.
