Skip to main content Skip to footer site map
Review: MY SON'S A QUEER, (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?), Ambassadors Theatre

Review: MY SON'S A QUEER, (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?), Ambassadors Theatre

Rob Madge's joyous production returns to the West-End.

Review: MY SON'S A QUEER, (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?), Ambassadors Theatre When Rob Madge posted their childhood videos onto TikTok, they quickly went viral. This inspired them to delve deeper into their childhood, exploring the many events that made them who they are today - and make a show about it.

There is beauty in the simplicity of this concept. My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is a tale about growing up. More specifically, the "ups and downs of raising a queer child." It is also clearly a production made for and by generations of theatre kids, the kind who prefer to stay in the dress-up section of the school (especially if it gets them out of a football match).

The production is built around the idea that Rob is recreating their infamous Disney Parade from years gone by. After all, the first time around, it just didn't go to plan - Dad kept forgetting his cues, the music skipped, and the costumes went awry. Now, armed with 'the seven steps to putting on a Disney Parade' (and a bigger budget), Rob is ready to impress.

To bring the Disney Parade (which has relocated from Florida to Coventry) to life, the stage at the Ambassadors Theatre is turned into Rob's childhood living room by set designer Ryan Dawson Laight. This way, they have everything they need at their disposal, from VHS tapes to a Belle dress lovingly made by their grandma.

Throughout, Rob is joined onstage by a younger (and just as charismatic) version of themselves through old VHS tapes. This helps paint a clearer picture of Rob's journey and how the unwavering support of their parents enabled them to discover who they are. The footage and narration from Rob are interspersed with songs from Pippa Cleary, from which "We Will Be Loved Anyway" is a clear stand-out.

At its core, this is a comedic production. The VHS tapes show a bright, laughing family - with a child whose energy is infectious - even if they make everyone follow a strict rehearsal schedule for their Christmas Panto. Adult Rob is just as entertaining, and their witty narration is embedded with tonnes of in-jokes and references for fellow theatre lovers to pick up on.

The script also touches upon the struggles associated with growing up queer. Not all parents are as accepting as theirs (or as willing to dress up as various Disney characters). Rob sometimes struggled to make friends at school and 'played' a more toned-down version of themselves to fit in - a safety mechanism many in the audience can likely relate to.

Despite the weighty subject matter, Rob focuses primarily on the joys and beauty of being unapologetically queer. And it is unspeakably refreshing to see queer joy on stage.

While a lot of queer media tends to focus on the struggles of being part of the LGBTQ+ community, My Son's A Queer is a celebration of happier moments. While the former is valid and vital, queer youth deserve to see that there are brighter times ahead and that it's okay to embrace exactly who you are.

The production, directed by Luke Sheppard, will leave audiences laughing and crying but buoyed with a sense of belonging. Designed for the "families that have, once upon a time, cheered on countless living room productions from sofas" for children who found solace in the theatre - and for those who haven't quite found where they belong yet. It's equal parts joyful and profound - and it helped me find something in myself I didn't know I had lost.

This is, undoubtedly, a five-star production packed with heart - and I doubt this is the last time we'll see Rob (or their writing) on the West End.

Check out our latest interview with Rob Madge here.

My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is at the Ambassadors Theatre until 18 March

Photo Credit: Mark Senior



Review: THE DEAD CITY (DIE TOTE STADT), London Coliseum Photo
Annilese Miskimmon directs an arresting new production of Korngold's cult operatic meditation on melancholy

Review: MARJORIE PRIME, Menier Chocolate Factory Photo
Jordan Harrison’s 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist is a reflection on mortality that doesn’t dare to go into the depths of the matter. It ends up being rather stagnant philosophically and anthropologically, but Dominic Dromgoole’s latest production is a delicate take. Running at 85 minutes on paper but around 70 in reality, the piece’s greatly sophisticated performances and sleek look save it from its redundant nature.

Review: WASTED, Lyric Hammersmith Photo
Running at around 50 minutes, it’s snappy and positively Gen-Z in pace and subject. Fernandes crafts a script that wanders from deliciously colloquial to slightly expository, but remains solid throughout. Mundane conversations about parties and cleaning rotas act as the foundation for the pair’s bond, which is bound to be tested and tried once Jacob’s actions are revealed. At its core, it’s a story of friendship and loyalty camouflaged as a crime drama exploring the stigmatisation of sexual violence.

Photos: First Look At English National Operas THE DEAD CITY (DIE TOTE STADT) Photo
See production images for the English National Opera's The Dead City (Die tote Stadt), running 25 March - 8 April 2023.


From This Author - Abbie Grundy


Review: WASTEMAN, VAULT FestivalReview: WASTEMAN, VAULT Festival
February 16, 2023

The VAULT festival is not Wasteman's first time on the stage - in fact, Joe Leather's production has previously done the bin rounds at Camden Fringe Festival in 2022. Its triumphant return, therefore, is no surprise, given how much audiences enjoyed the semi-autobiographical production's first outing.

Review: MY SON'S A QUEER, (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?), Ambassadors TheatreReview: MY SON'S A QUEER, (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?), Ambassadors Theatre
February 2, 2023

There is beauty in the simplicity of this concept. My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is a tale about growing up. More specifically, the 'ups and downs of raising a queer child.' It is also clearly a production made for and by generations of theatre kids, the kind who prefer to stay in the dress-up section of the school (especially if it gets them out of a football match).

Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS, Liverpool Empire TheatreReview: WHITE CHRISTMAS, Liverpool Empire Theatre
December 22, 2022

While last week's snow may have melted away, there will still be a White Christmas in Liverpool thanks to the touring production of Irving Berlin's beloved Holiday classic.

Review: MR CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Greenwich TheatreReview: MR CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Greenwich Theatre
December 13, 2022

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one story that most audiences, young and old, are familiar with. After all, it's dusted off every year to mark the festive season - encouraging audiences to step into the Christmas spirit.

Review: MUSICAL CON, Excel CentreReview: MUSICAL CON, Excel Centre
October 24, 2022

Musical Con is the 'West End's first ever musical theatre fan convention', an event designed to connect audiences with their favourite performers, showcase new work and simply have a lot of stagey fun.