Dante or Die: Kiss Marry Kill

Please note this production takes place at Halle St Peters, 40 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6BF.

An electrifying and intimate story of love and redemption.

‘I’m a monster. You can’t marry me’

Jay and Paul are both serving life sentences for homophobic murders. Incredibly, they fall in love and seek permission to marry.

Inspired by real-life events, Kiss Marry Kill is a provocative new play that reimagines the first same-sex wedding in a UK prison.

Take a seat on a prison bed and prepare for the action to take place in front, above and around you - in signature Dante or Die style. With live music from rapper Lady Lykez, the production envelops audiences in the private spaces and conversations of a world rarely seen.

Kiss Marry Kill zeroes in on the limits of our compassion, challenging our assumptions and preconceptions around sexuality, and the criminal justice system.

Please note this production uses unconventional seating.  If you have special requirements please contact the box office.

Content warning: Discussion and descriptions of homophobic hate crimes. There are also scenes of a sexual nature, nudity, violence and strong language.

Age guidance: 16+

Co-production credits:

Kiss Marry Kill is funded by International Music and Art Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, Cockayne Grants for the Arts, PRS Foundation & Arts Council England.

Kiss Marry Kill is commissioned by The Lowry, South Street Reading & Ideas Test, with support from Norwich Theatre Royal & Stone Nest. The project was seed funded by IGNITE - York Theatre Royal with thanks to the National Theatre.

Dante or Die is supported by Garfield Weston Foundation and The John Ellerman Foundation.

Written by Daphna Attias, James Baldwin and Terry O’Donovan

Direction: Daphna Attias and Terry O’Donovan

Set and Costume Design: Sophie Neil

Lighting Design: Jo Palmer

Composer and Sound Designer: Yaniv Fridel (Soho Sonic)

Lyrics and Song Writing: Lady Lykez

Movement Direction: Ayse Tashkiran