⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Five Stars)

It may be the very final month of 2025, but Daniel’s Husband at Marylebone Theatre has managed to cement itself as one of the best productions I’ve seen this year (no mean feat, given that it was in fact my 123rd show of the year!). It’s such a treat to encounter a genuinely impactful and thought-provoking piece of theatre, and the entire cast and creative team should be commended for this production.

Written by Michael McKeever and directed by Alan Souza, Daniel’s Husband introduces us to Daniel (Joel Harper-Jackson) and his partner Mitchell (Luke Fetherston), a couple of seven years, each successful in their respective fields as an architect and an author. The play begins with them hosting a wine-fuelled dinner party in their stylish and carefully curated living room (designed by Justin Williams) for Mitchell’s literary agent, Barry (David Bedella), and his much-younger new partner, Trip (Raiko Gohara). Their relationship is established as deeply loving, but not without conflict, as the two men hold fundamentally different views on gay marriage. Debates around gummy bears versus jelly beans and Jonathan Bailey versus Andrew Scott gradually give way to the revelation that Daniel yearns to marry Mitchell, while Mitchell opposes the concept, viewing it as a heteronormative expectation unfairly placed on gay couples.

Tensions rise further when Daniel’s overbearing - and, whether intentionally or not, offensive - mother Lydia (Liza Sadovy) arrives for a visit and insists on making everything about herself. The play then delivers a cleverly handled and unexpected turn of events (which I won’t reveal here so as not to diminish its impact for those who see the play after reading) that forces Mitchell to re-evaluate his stance on marriage. From this point, the tone masterfully shifts from light-hearted comedy to something utterly devastating.

McKeever’s excellent writing provides us with nuanced, interesting, and complex characters, brought vividly to life by a fantastic five-person cast under Souza’s sharp direction. As Daniel and Mitchell, Joel Harper-Jackson and Luke Fetherston deliver two of the most exceptional and heartbreaking acting performances currently on any London stage. We see them interact with one another and the rest of the cast, along with each delivering a deeply moving monologue that reveals their inner thoughts directly to the audience. They are joined on stage by a stellar supporting cast. In particular, Liza Sadovy does outstanding work, portraying a character who could easily be reduced to a villain with remarkable depth and complexity.

Overall, I’d highly recommend a visit to Marylebone Theatre to see Daniel’s Husband. A word of warning, however: bring tissues as it’s an emotional watch.

Daniel’s Husband runs at Marylebone Theatre until 10th January 2026.

Tickets Available Here