Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at Bristol Old Vic Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Lisa Warren

*Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz* at the Bristol Old Vic last night was an absolute treat. My first time in the intimate side theatre room, where the stage is the area in front of you, by your feet, so close you feel like you are at a house party chatting to a new friend. From the moment the lights dimmed, the audience was captivated by the magnetic performance of Nathan Queeley-Dennis, who effortlessly commanded the audience with this sharp, witty, and personal one-man show. Nathan Queeley-Dennis’s portrayal of modern dating, his relationships with his father, male friends, and navigating the world as a Black man was at once hilarious, with huge out loud laughter and snorts from the audience all around me, from the very first paragraph and at times deeply thought-provoking.

The show, laced with techno beats, a conversation with a friend via Beyonce lyrics and a cheeky sense of rebellion, had the crowd onside from the second he opened his mouth. With just a few well-timed lines, you could feel the room warming up, the laughter bubbling up from the back rows until everyone was in stitches. There’s something about the way he told these stories—about love, about masculinity, about family—that made you feel like you were right there with him, chatting over a rum and coke or a strong cup of tea. He brought a raw honesty to the stage, mixing humour with heartfelt moments in a way that left you feeling both entertained and emotionally moved. I chuckled, snorted, my shoulders were bouncing to the beat of the musical interludes and with giggles all the way through. The last moments left me with something in my eye, I’m not crying you are!

It wasn’t just the jokes that hit hard, though. There was a certain vulnerability in the way Nathan Queeley-Dennis’s  peeled back the layers of his relationships. His interactions with his father, for instance, were as touching as they were funny. You could sense the tension, the unspoken words between them, but he delivered it all with such a sharp wit that even the heavy moments didn’t weigh you down. The crowd, myself included, hung on every word. It’s rare to see an actor so fully engage an audience, I totally forgot that it was a one man show, I was totally deep into his rabbit hole life stories. Even when he had a text group chat with his “mandem” about his new office chair! His performance was so immersive, you forgot you were in a theatre; it felt more like you were listening to a mate share his wildest stories and innermost thoughts.

One of the standout aspects of the show was its unapologetic look at what it means to be a Black man in today’s world. The concept of *Black Heart* resonated deeply throughout—this idea of pride, strength, and the weight of expectations. Nathan Queeley-Dennis didn’t shy away from the complexities of identity, weaving in powerful commentary on race, masculinity, and vulnerability. Yet he did it all with such charisma and ease, the audience was fully engaged, laughing at one moment and reflecting the next.

By the end, the energy in the room was electric. You could tell the audience didn’t want it to end, and I didn’t either. *Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz* is the kind of show that stays with you long after the lights come up. I want more, I want to know about his next dates, his life back home, his art…. I am invested in Nathaniel as a character. It’s not just a story about dating or relationships—it’s a raw, funny, and heartfelt exploration of identity and connection. If you ever get the chance to see it, grab a ticket, because this is one you won’t want to miss. It’s like getting the red skittle at the end of the packet.

Rating: 5/5 Amazing!

https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/bullring-techno-makeout-jamz

Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED
Venue: The Weston Studio

October 15th to 19th

Tickets from £14 (plus concessions)
Approx. 1 hour
Ages 14+
Contains strong language, haze and flashing lights, but no strobe lighting.