My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is the joyous autobiographical story of social-media sensation Rob Madge. Following sold-out runs on the Turbine Theatre in 2021, Edinburgh Fringe and the Garrick Theatre in 2022, Rob Madge brings their triumphant musical celebration of the ups and downs of elevating a queer youngster again to the West End in 2023 for this strictly restricted season enjoying the Ambassadors Theatre.
My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) tells the story of Robs early years main as much as their starring turns as Gavroche in Les Misérables, Artful Dodger in Oliver! and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins. When Rob was twelve, they tried a full-blown Disney parade of their home for his or her grandma. As Rob donned wigs and performed Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all of the floats within the unsuitable path. Mum mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry. Grandma had a pleasant time, although.
Rob’s mix of conversational story telling accompanied by their very own residence movies makes the present immediately identifiable. This comedic, informal tête-à-tête model lets Rob’s character shine and the viewers instantly felt relaxed and desirous to go on the journey of the play. Through unique songs and tales from Rob’s life, they carry out with talent all through, tackling bullying, rising up queer, discovering gender id, household and discovering a supportive neighborhood with a professionalism and beauty of a seasoned performer.
Not solely is My Son’s A Queer a joyous vibrant touching coming of age story; it’s additionally an necessary, rigorously constructed and written piece of optimistic queer illustration with Rob main the cost for optimistic change. A combat for acceptance and celebration of the queer neighborhood in opposition to an more and more hostile local weather. A defiant “battle cry”, My Son’s A Queer delivers the message to not be afraid to dwell authentically or to cover components of your self away in favor of societal requirements. Seeing My Son’s A Queer as an grownup is cathartic. However, the influence on younger queer folks seeing this present and experiencing the joint acceptance, love and appreciation the viewers pours out at every efficiency is immeasurable.
My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is a joyous love letter to being queer, Rob’s supportive and loving mother and father and having musical theatre as your complete character. An instance of queer pleasure, My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is brimming with memorable songs, hilarious dialogue, touching moments that may produce tears of unhappiness but in addition deliver out tears of pure pleasure and understanding. Madge’s present is a really particular inspirational account of a younger life lived unapologetically, one thing we are able to all study from at any age.
Reviewed by Stuart James