Seb’s first play I LOST MY VIRGINITY TO CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE IN B-FLAT MINOR premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe with the Pleasance Theatre in 2019, for which he received the King’s Head Theatre’s Stella Wilkie Award and China Plate Theatre’s Best Debut Play Award. The play transferred to multiple regional venues and across London before transferring internationally to the Adapter Theatre in Busan, South Korea.
His second play STEVE AND TOBIAS VERSUS DEATH, co-written with Daniel Kettle, opened at Sheffield Theatres after transferring from the Edinburgh Fringe with Underbelly in 2022. The play later had a run at the Pleasance Theatre in London before transferring internationally to the Adapter Theatre.
Seb’s third play THE BOOK OF MAWTHER premiered at the Almeida Theatre in 2025.
Seb trained at the Oxford School of Drama and East 15 Acting School, where he was nominated for the Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship and the Laurence Olivier Award. In his final year, Seb received the John Gielgud Award.
Reviews for I LOST MY VIRGINITY TO CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE IN B-FLAT MINOR
THE SCOTSMAN * * * *
‘A terrific two-hander. I’d prescribe this show for a bit of short sharp relationship counseling.
https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/theatre-and-stage/theatre-review-i-lost-my-virginity-chopins-nocturne-b-flat-minor-pleasance-courtyard-edinburgh-1410890
A YOUNGER THEATRE, * * * * *
Gardner’s writing is possibly one of the most promising additions to theatre that I have seen in a long time. With a well-developed structure of repeated themes, tones and staging, there are also floods of current references, clear dialects and character understanding that elevates each line to a complete knockout of emotions. Moreover, Gardner’s attention to politics, class, sex, race and privilege present themselves as the significant building blocks of behaviour and conflict that bleed into our everyday lives. His witty, original address of such powerful topics brings hope to a new generation of theatre-makers.
Review: I Lost My Virginity To Chopin’s Nocturne In B-Flat Minor, The Vaults
LONDONTHEATRE1 * * * * *
a bold yet thoughtful take on both the euphoric and destructive natures of the power of love. Both characters are gloriously complex, and thus incredibly human. The production holds a mirror up to certain sections of society that are too easily offended by remarks that might not have been articulated in the most sensitive manner but were nonetheless never made with malicious intent.
https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/i-lost-my-virginity-to-chopins-nocturne-in-b-flat-minor-review/
EVERYTHING THEATRE * * * * *
The dialogue is witty, razor-sharp, and wholly believable. And the argument’s pacing is spot on, you’re in the palm of their hands as they fire crushing statements at one another. They manage to masterfully keep the pace of the argument while still keeping us aware of the love that remains, all despite the vile language flying between them. I left the theatre completely believing in their relationship and wondering what happens to them next.
Review: I Lost My Virginity To Chopin’s Nocturne In B-Flat Minor, The Vaults
THEATRE WEEKLY * * * *
‘Sebastian Gardner is a truly gifted writer, and one you will want to keep an eye on if your interest is cutting edge theatre. His dialogue bounces back and forth with unabashed vigour and viewed as a whole, I Lost My Virginity To Chopin’s Nocturne in B-Flat Minor is its own symphony of modern theatre, pulling together all of the elements required for a fascinating and intuitive character study. A searing insight into modern-day relationships.
Edinburgh Review: I Lost My Virginity to Chopin’s Nocturne in B-Flat Minor at Pleasance Courtyard
SCOTSGAY * * * *
‘There is no point in this show during which you might be tempted to wonder off in thoughts to your own life – you are riveted to the situation unfolding in front of your eyes.’
Ed Fringe Review * * * *
‘An honest, bitter, and endearing portrayal of modern relationships that throws away any pretence of romanticism to create an original work. A must-see during this year’s fringe.
https://www.edfringereview.com/review/e/qbv9l1KfYuuUxanHdkm6
‘ a delightful slice of relationship hell’
– Christopher Brett Bailey
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Theatres
I LOST MY VIRGINITY TO CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE IN B-FLAT MINOR (2019 – 2021)
The Vault Theatre London
Oxford Playhouse
The Barn Theatre
The King’s Head Theatre
Camden People’s Theatre
The New Wolsey Theatre
Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe
The Adapter Theatre, Busan South Korea
STEVE AND TOBIAS VERSUS DEATH
Sheffield Playhouse
Pleasance Theatre
Underbelly, Edinburgh Fringe
The Adapter Theatre, Busan South Korea
THE BOOK OF MAWTHER
The Almeida Theatre