Produced for Soho Theatre

TENDER

by Dave Harris
directed by Matthew Xia

Soho Theatre
2026

“Modern masculinity laid bare in pumped-up strip club drama … Matthew Xia is a director of swagger and finesse” The Guardian ★★★★
”Very entertaining indeed … give me this thoughtful madness over the kitchen sink equivalent any day.” Time Out ★★★★

‘Thank you for trusting us with your pleasure.’

From the ★★★★★ Tambo & Bones powerhouse duo: writer Dave Harris and director Matthew Xia comes a steamy, boisterous and tender new play about breaking free from masculinity’s seductive cage.

The Dancing Bears strip club is failing. Ten covers on a Saturday night. One booking next week. The new club down the street are packing fifty women a night with their twelve-inch synchronised dicks. When the boss’s daughter shows up, she realises they’re gonna need a bigger show.

Welcome to the club. Red lights. Oiled abs. Dollar bills. Three men about to make you feel things you weren’t expecting. Grab front row seats to get up close and very personal.

Steamy and boisterous, Dave Harris's play Tender is a story about breaking free from masculinity's seductive cage. Tender had its world premiere at Soho Theatre in April 2026.

Cast
DONNY Darren Bennett
TRAE Kwami Odoom
B Jessie Mei Li
GEOFF Darren Bennett

Creative Team
Playwright: Dave Harris
Director: Matthew Xia
Set and Costume Designer: ULTZ
Lighting Designer: Ciarán Cunningham
Composer and Sound Designer: Roly Botha
Choreography and Intimacy Director: Shelley Maxwell
Casting Director: Heather Basten CDG
Associate Designer: Mark Simmonds
Associate Costume Designer: Maybelle Laye
Assistant Director: Wiebke Green
Production Manager: The Production Family
Producer: Eve Allin
Executive Producer for Soho Theatre: David Luff

Press:
★★★★ Time Out
★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★ The Stage
★★★★ Reviews Hub
★★★★ Whatsonstage
★★★★ Rendition
★★★★ Arts Desk