Review: MY SON’S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?), Belgrade Theatre - Tour

Photo credit: Mark Senior

The story of My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?) began long before writer and performer Rob Madge conceived the show. Indeed, it feels like a production that was destined to be, merely awaiting the right circumstances to bring it to fruition. Thankfully, Madge had the patience, resilience, and creative vision to perfect the timing of this one-person masterpiece. This is a show that everyone should see, particularly those who might typically shy away from anything centred around LGBTQIA+ themes and general 'queerness'. Although queer is in the title, this production is fundamentally about love and the belief that love should have no limits or boundaries.

To say this show began before its creation is no exaggeration. We believe Madge's parents (and grandparents) never envisioned a future where precious home videos, filmed for posterity, would propel Madge into the spotlight as they began sharing them online and ultimately using them as a backdrop to their 65-minute show. With the help of director Luke Sheppard, the pair create a seamless narrative explaining the seven steps of what to do if your child is queer. However, we would argue it’s actually a narrative about how to practically practise love and recognise children for the magnificent individuals they are, without projecting onto them or coercing them into who you wish them to be.

Firstly, My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is funny, very funny. Madge takes us right back to the beginning, recounting a turbulent six-year wait and IVF that resulted in their conception, making them the only child much loved by both parents and grandparents alike. It felt like much of their upbringing was caught on film as we share the wisdom of their grandmother predicting they wouldn't be into football, right through to the confident performer/director producing shows in the living room and enlisting their tired but willing dad to play the many characters required to support them in their leading role. At times, Madge seems like an insufferable child, relentless in creativity and vocal in their sometimes less than polite direction. This is softened by the good humour of the adults around them and the charismatic Madge we see on stage today.

Madge's journey is punctuated by these home videos and the beautiful Disney-esque songs written by Pippa Cleary. As a child, Madge performed in West End hits such as Les Misérables and Mary Poppins, so their impressive voice is no surprise. What is surprising, however, is how relatable and accessible they appear while singing, taking the breath out of your lungs. They lull you in with humour and song, disarming you without your conscious awareness. The most poignant moment (for this reviewer) is when Madge receives the Beast costume from Beauty and the Beast. You witness firsthand the elation of such an extravagant gift (from the official Disney shop) but also the pain. You hear firsthand from their dad admitting they thought the Beast costume would help guide Madge into 'the norm', whatever that is, even though they knew Madge would rather be Belle. Such a powerful moment where gratitude and disappointment vie for space. Next thing you know, you're crying, not in sadness—though Madge does well to acknowledge the challenges of finding solace in make-believe—but in happiness that the child who dreamed of being Belle finally gets to wear that yellow ball gown.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more joyous, life-affirming show where the challenges are acknowledged, but this is fundamentally an optimistic production about following your own path.

Hilarious, moving, relatable and poignant.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Alanna Boden

My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) moves on to Liverpool Playhouse from tomorrow (18 July) before visiting Derby, Edinburgh and Manchester.