My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is a multi-award-winning show by playwright Rob Madge. The cult sensations' arrival in Birmingham from July 11th - 13th as part of a national tour was a West Midlands homecoming for this one-person biographical play from Madge, who was born in Coventry.
Playing in Birmingham Hippodrome's Patrick Studio, this show is a monologue meets musical with original songs including a fabulous parody of Elton John. Set in Rob Madge’s living room, the show revolves predominately around old home videos from their childhood, putting on shows for their family.
"My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) celebrates the joy and chaos of raising a queer child and is testament to the power of unconditional familial love."When Rob was 12, they attempted to stage a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their Grandma. As Rob donned a wig and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their Dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all the floats in the wrong direction. Mum mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry and Ariel’s bubble gun didn’t work properly. Grandma had a nice time though."
A childhood viewed, mostly, through rainbow-tinted glasses, My Son’s A Queer is an exploration of raising queer children; a true testament to the power of having a supportive family who offered unconditional love, nurtured a child’s creativity, and let them be their authentic selves, and in doing so, nurtured an adult who could create such an amazing show.
It is also, however, a criticism of society and the gender binaries which force children to fit neatly into one box, and in many cases, pack away the things that make them happy simply because they are seen as ‘wrong’ by the world around them.
This show has a sharp, camp humour – with updated jokes for 2024 – but it also has a soft tenderness and depth that gives way to emotional and, at times, tear-inducing moments. Fortunately, many of those tears are shed in happiness thanks to the love and encouragement Madge’s family gave them.
Staging for My Son's a Queer
My Son’s a Queer is a show of queerness and joy that is probably relatable to every LGBTQ+ person, in some way or another, whether they wanted to be centre stage like Madge, or not.
A brilliantly funny tug at the heartstrings, the cheering throughout the show and the standing ovation following Saturday 13th July's matinée were truly a showcase of the love for this Midlands revival of My Son’s a Queer. Now… is anyone filming?
My Son's a Queer comes to Coventry's Belgrade Theatre next from Monday 15th July-Wednesday 17th July.
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