★★★★★
Back in 2020 when the country was experiencing a national lockdown I found myself stumbling across Rob Madge on TikTok. In the short clip, direct from a camcorder in the 90s, was a captivating young person who was directing their family into a Disney show from the living room. Almost immediately it took me back to the times when I would perform in the living room (or bathtubs) whilst my parents would record the joy on their camcorder without a second thought. Core memories of mine forever. What I saw in Rob's videos was the same. This was a young person living boldly and proud, captivated by the world of their own imagination.
Rob Madge is an incredible human being. The child star turned TikTok sensation is now in London's West End. This comes on the tail end of its debut success at the Turbine Theatre last year, as well as this year's Edinburgh Fringe. Madge dives deeper into the story of their upbringing in a world that didn't want them to be seen or heard. Now so many individuals up and down the country will see themselves in this show. My Son's A Queer, But What Can You Do? is one of the most joyous monologues played out on the stage right now.
Watch Now: My Q&A with Rob Madge in 2021
This story isn't a unique one but it is performed perfectly and with a huge heart behind every breath. There is a sense of pride in this production throughout and so many people will relate to it on different levels. It's magic.
Rob leads the performance on their own - however, who could tell the story better? Supported by projections of home videos and interjections of audio from their family. It's a wholesome piece of storytelling, helped largely by the stories and the addition of some flamboyant costumes too.
The best thing for this production now moving forward would be to go on tour. So many more people need to be swept away by this jubilant and moving story.
My Son's A Queer, But What Can You Do? is performing for a limited time at the Garrick Theatre.
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