After winning over audiences with a sold-out run in the Bush Theatre Studio last year, Tender is back, and this time it’s taking over the theatre’s main house. Running from 9 July to 1 August, the critically praised production returns on a larger scale for what promises to be one of this summer’s must-see pieces of queer theatre.
Written by Eleanor Tindall and directed by Emily Aboud, Tender is anything but a conventional romance. Blending psychological thriller, surreal horror and an emotionally charged love story, it explores desire, repression and the parts of ourselves we’d rather leave hidden.
Ivy seems to have everything figured out. She has a boyfriend, a home and a future that looks comfortably planned. The only problem is the one thing she’s determined not to confront. Across town, Ash is trying to rebuild her life after a painful relationship, settling into a new flat where the wallpaper seems to move and the building itself feels strangely alive. When their lives collide, an intense attraction quickly develops, but so does a growing sense that something isn’t quite right.
Part of what made Tender such a success during its original run was its refusal to follow familiar paths. Rather than relying on predictable coming-out narratives or tidy romantic endings, the play embraces ambiguity, obsession and emotional vulnerability. The result is a queer love story that’s as unsettling as it is moving.
The original production earned praise for its unique balance of intimacy and unease, weaving moments of genuine tenderness together with creeping psychological horror. Elements of surrealism and body horror add another layer, creating an atmosphere that lingers long after the lights come up.
Producer Jessie Anand believes the audience reaction proved there’s a growing appetite for queer stories that don’t fit neatly into traditional categories.
“Audiences embraced Tender in a really special way. It showed there’s a real hunger for queer love stories that are complex and twisty.”
The production’s return also reflects the Bush Theatre’s continued commitment to nurturing bold new writing and giving emerging work the opportunity to reach wider audiences. Under Artistic Director Taio Lawson, the theatre has become known for championing fresh voices and stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of modern life.
With its haunting atmosphere, striking performances and emotionally rich storytelling, Tender looks set to be one of the standout LGBTQ+ theatre productions of the summer.
Tender runs at Bush Theatre from 9 July until 1 August 2026.
Book tickets: www.bushtheatre.co.uk
