Breeding post-show Q&A at the King's Head Theatre. © Ellie Melvin

It’s been an extraordinary eight-year journey for Breeding, Barry McStay’s comedy-drama about a gay couple’s struggles with adoption, with many midwives helping the play’s rebirths along the way.

Young gay couple Zeb and Eoin (Dan Nicholson) have met, kissed, fallen in love, moved in and got married. But it’s not enough for Eoin, who has always dreamt of having the “perfect family”.

Together, they set out to adopt: Zeb will be Fun Daddy. Eoin will be Serious Daddy. It’s social worker Beth’s (Nemida May) job to decide if they are “appropriate” to be Daddies at all. There are many forms, tests and unexpected life challenges en route to their “new extraordinary” queer parenthood.

“You’re not afraid of heights, you’re just scared to jump.”

Writer Barry McStay, who also stars as Eoin, was originally inspired by friends’ experience of adoption – a central scene in which the two men are quizzed about their porn habits – which first gave birth to a two-hander called Zeb and Eoin.

A rehearsed reading and iterations of development later, Barry’s script was programmed for the Queer Interrogation season during Tom Ratcliffe‘s takeover as guest artistic director at the old King’s Head Theatre. It gained the third lynchpin character of Beth (Aamira Challenger), director Matthew Iliffe and the new title Breeding.

It’s now back by popular demand as the third main house offering at the new King’s Head, with a brand-new production now directed by Tom Ratcliffe, with McStay and Nicholson reprising their roles alongside new Beth, Nemida May.

All involved along the way – including producers Gabriella Sills, James Seabright and, yes, the one and only Mark Gatiss – have left their marks. What next for this highly acclaimed “domestic drama with a queer heart”?

Following yesterday’s matinee, I discussed that and Breeding‘s journey to date with (left-right): director Tom Ratcliffe, writer Barry McStay, and co-stars Nemida May and Dan Nicholson.

Breeding runs at London’s King’s Head Theatre until 14 April 2024.

Q&A video

Spoiler alert: The discussion does reveal key plot points.

Q&A photos

Thanks to Ellie Melvin and Stephanie Ressort.

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