Garrick Theatre – until 6 November 2022
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
The magical force of nature, Rob Madge, brings their award-winning show to the West End for a short, but dazzling run. Rob’s parents’ home videos of Rob’s Disney shows became a sensation during lockdown, and Rob’s autobiographical show is a bittersweet but uplifting celebration of queerness and family.
Rob – a self-proclaimed flamboyant monster as a child – was blessed with a family that loved and supported them. As Rob describes their early childhood, there are lots of self-deprecating and self-aware comments amongst the celebrations. Dad Jon’s attempt at sticking to the binary was buying Rob a Beast costume, but the dream was the yellow Belle dress, and Rob’s parents accepted and loved their child for who they were. The clips of Rob’s Disney parades in homemade costumes are hilarious as the demanding diva rolls their eyes at dad’s tech and demands professional attitudes to their productions. Pippa Cleary’s songs about pivotal moments are gorgeously Disneyesque and heartfelt with just the right amount of tongue in cheek touches in Rob’s delivery to keep things light. Luke Sheppard’s considered direction and Ryan Dawson Laight’s set design – a nostalgic and comforting living room that transforms into the perfect arena for the grand parade – are inspired, making the audience in the Garrick feel right at home with this wonderful family.
As a teacher, Rob’s description of their schooldays and the comments in their reports horrified me (the children have to force ME out of the imaginative play area), but their family’s response as they see Rob’s spirit crushed as they feel they don’t fit in will make you cheer at the love and encouragement on display. Honestly, whenever the grandparents show up you will be howling with laughter or ugly crying, nothing in between.
The joy of losing yourself in characters, of becoming yourself lost in a character, and of being loved unconditionally comes across in every breath Rob takes in their show. I have seen the show a few times now, and have cried every time. Rob’s parents become everyone’s heroes and the joy in the auditorium is palpable. This is a show with something for everybody – queers, theatre and Disney fans, parents and grandparents. My Son’s a Queer is a lesson in tolerance and love that should be on the school curriculum. Simply wonderful.