My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at HOME

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

My Son's A Queer, (But What Can You Do?)

HOME Manchester, Manchester
19-25 August 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

My Son's A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at HOME
Image courtesy of Mark Senior.
Book now

The glittering award-winning theatre show, My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) takes centre stage at HOME this summer, ahead of Manchester’s PRIDE celebrations this August.

Written and performed by the hugely multi-talented theatre-maker Rob Madge, My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?), is a musical memoir and a joyous tale about acceptance and identity, and the power of unconditional familial love.

The show has garnered widespread acclaim since it was first performed at the Turbine Theatre, London in 2021. Following a sell-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, a national tour and two hugely successful West End runs, this cult sensation evolved into a Whats On Stage award-winning and Olivier Award-nominated production.

A triumphant and hilarious celebration of identity and creativity, My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) is an autobiographical coming-of-age story inspired by real home videos from Rob Madge’s childhood.

When Madge was 12, they attempted to recreate a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their Grandma. Madge multi-roled as Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle while their Dad stepped up to play Stage Manager, Sound Tech and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues, the costumes went awry and Ariel’s bubble gun malfunctioned. Grandma still enjoyed the performance though.

Tracing the beginnings of their love for theatre, My Son’s a Queer, (But what can you do?) centres around the recreation of Madge’s childhood Disney parade.

Taking audiences on an inspirational journey of laughter and unwavering family love and acceptance, My Son’s A Queer is a must-see at HOME this August.

What's on at HOME Manchester

Until
Visual ArtsManchester
Roots in the Sky at HOME

HOME presents ‘Roots in the Sky’, a group exhibition and curatorial project by British-Nigerian artist Tunji Adeniyi-Jones. 

DanceManchester
Obscura at HOME

Company Chameleon return with Obscura, a physically demanding double-bill exploring the hidden corners of self and society.

Until
ActivityManchester
Film Course: French New Wave at HOME

Coinciding with the release of Richard Linklater’s film Nouvelle Vague, this HOME course offers an accessible overview of one of cinema’s most influential movements.

From £65

Where to go near My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at HOME

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Briton’s Protection

Standing on the corner of a junction opposite The Bridgewater Hall, The Briton’s Protection is Manchester’s oldest pub. It has occupied the same spot since 1795, going under the equally

Castlefield Gallery, Manchester
Castlefield
Gallery
Castlefield Gallery

The influential Castlefield Gallery sits at the edge of Manchester’s exciting Castlefield district, an ideal home for thought-provoking contemporary art.

What's on: Theatre

Until
TheatreMediaCityUK
To Kill A Mockingbird at Lowry

Hailed “unmissable and unforgettable” by Rolling Stone, Aaron Sorkin’s award-winning stage adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird comes to Salford.

From £22.50
Katie McGlynn, Max Bowden, Jason Durr, Peter Moreton in Murder at Midnight_Pamela Raith Photography
Until
TheatreMediaCityUK
Murder at Midnight at Lowry

On New Year’s Eve in a quiet corner of Kent, in a single house, secrets inevitably bubble to the surface and a killer lies in wait.

From £25.00
Textured portrait image of Jarman
TheatreManchester
Jarman at Hope Mill Theatre

Mark Farrelly channels Derek Jarman in a vivid solo performance about risk, creativity and living without compromise.

From £14.50
DanceManchester
Obscura at HOME

Company Chameleon return with Obscura, a physically demanding double-bill exploring the hidden corners of self and society.

Culture Guides

Music in the North

We have an eclectic mix of gigs for you this month, moving from experimental electronics and noise rock to synth pop, opera, and hyper-local R&B.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Textured portrait image of Jarman
Theatre in the North

Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.