Ambassadors Theatre – until 18 March 2023
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
The fabulous Rob Madge returns to the West End with their inspirational award-winning show.
Rob’s parents’ home videos of Rob’s Disney shows became a sensation during lockdown, and Rob’s autobiographical show is a joyful and uplifting celebration of queerness and family that brightens and enlightens the audience.
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 – with newly added saltiness about a certain West End acting debut. 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. As Rob’s experiences at school crush their spirit and force them out of the imaginative play area, their family’s response 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.
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 Ambassadors feel right at home with this wonderful family.
The joy of losing yourself in characters, of discovering your true self while lost in a character, and of being loved unconditionally comes across in every breath Rob takes in their show. Repeated viewings do not diminish the tears or belly laughs. 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 fans, Disney fans, parents and grandparents. My Son’s a Queer is a lesson in tolerance and love that should be on the school curriculum. Glorious entertainment from a glorious human.