Review: MY SON’S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) Cast Recording
After successful runs at the Turbine Theatre and in the iconic Underbelly purple cow at the Edinburgh Fringe, Rob Madge’s My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is going from strength to strength. The show is due to open at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End from 21 October for a limited run, with a cast recording is due to be released on the same day.
My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is an autobiographical piece that celebrates the acceptance that Madge has always had from their family and highlights the importance of both accepting yourself and having people around you who also support. It centres around the time a young Madge put on a full Disney parade in their living room, with homemade costumes and scripts written to get the family to play along. Through this story, Madge takes us through their childhood, from putting on shows with Dad at home and joining Stagecoach through struggles with fitting in and struggles with finding that iconic yellow Belle dress.
When it comes to LGBTQ+ stories in theatre, we are used to seeing tales about someone struggling to find acceptance and having to fight, but this show doesn’t go down that route. Instead, in a breath of fresh air, we see a story that is a celebration from start to finish, all about embracing one’s true self and not having to fight to fit in.
With music by Pippa Cleary (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾) and lyrics by Madge and Cleary, the cast album includes 10 tracks from the fun and catchy ‘Anything is Possible’ to the poignant ‘Pieces of my Heart’. It also features two tracks entitled ‘A Conversation With Dad’, with different subtitles and these are exactly what they say on the tin. Voice notes between Madge and their Dad truly highlighting just how supportive their parents have always been, allowing Madge to always be themselves, whether that was loving a wool wig or putting on shows in the living room.
The music of My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is a blend of ups and downs, full of cheekiness and laughter as Madge recalls their childhood and the home videos that started it all and heartfelt moments as they talk about the times where they were told that dressing up was not something a boy would do. It also puts a number of questions forward, from the innocent idea of a child wanting a dress and possibly not understanding why there seems to only be two choices, pink or blue, to the thought that not everyone would be as lucky as they are having people to support and accept them. A number of the songs are little earworms, especially ‘Anything is Possible’ and the sweet ‘Pied Piper’ (which features backing vocals by Pippa Cleary).
Whilst the majority of the songs are performed by Madge, the album features a special version of the beautiful ‘We Will Be Loved Anyway’ with Madge being joined by Jessica Aubrey, Kayla Carter, Pippa Cleary, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Isaac Hesketh, Jordan Lee Davies, Carl Man, Vinnie Monachello and B Terry. This will be released on 7 October, ahead of the album’s release on 21 October.
This cast recording is uplifting and heart-warming, both celebrating Madge’s lifetime of acceptance and acting as a warm hug to those still searching for their own acceptance.
To pre-order the album, please click here.
