There are some shows which transcend criticisim and this might jst be one of them. Rob Madge's self celebratory My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?) is 70 minutes of sheer joy. The premise of the show is simple: looking back through videos of yourself as a child to chart your love of performing and the queerness that is at the very core of it. In particular it focuses on Madge's desire to perform a Disney parade which includes many of the great Disney princesses.
In hilarious commentary, we are introduced to the video clips of Rob aged about 6 years old along with his family where clearly Rob has a sense of his own celebrity ("Are you filming ME?" he demands of his Dad on several occasions, seemingly aware of the fact other people might be in the room.) His Mum and Dad indulge him by making an array of home made props and wigs to enhance little Rob's desires for fully staged productions on their living room. And woe betide them if they are not on cue or get their lines wrong if he has allocated them a supporting role, and whatever Rob is playing everyone else is very much a supporting role in his young mind.
But behind the larks is a beautiful telling of a young mind who knows he's queer and knows he loves dressing up, particularly the beautiful gown of Belle in Beauty And The Beast. Rob's Dad admits on the video that he deliberately brought his son a replica of The Beast's costume from the Disney shop in a bid to move Rob away from his obsession with Belle and other Disney princesses. This was never going to work. A turning point is when Rob's grandparents lovingly make him a puppet theatre where he can finally act out his shows in a theatre setting. It is obvious to us on the video and his family that Rob is destined for the stage, its in his very soul.
Of course Rob's journey isn't without its troubles. Hateful comments and the hurtful shunning by the his fellow schoolchildren because he is clearly different to them, left a lasting mark. Madge tells us all of this going from hilarity to heartbreak in a fell swoop in what is a sensitive and finely judged performance throughout.
There are songs, there is glitter and there is eventually a long long overdue Disney parade for the now 27 year old Rob. But most of all there is joy. The audience cling on to his every word from the off, his natural confidence and charisma is the very heart of the show, and whereas it could have come over as very self indulgent and tacky, it is instead a glorious celebration of family and acceptance of who you are. The instant standing ovation at the end said it all.
The question would be, how do you follow that? But Rob will. His indomitable spirit and effervesence will lead him to more triumphs for sure. We just hope we are there to witness them.
Rob & Ian
A cast recording is now available to stream and download from most online providers or on a CD which can be ordered by clicking the link below.
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