Rob Madge’s My Son’s A Queer returns to the West End for one final season

Updated 25-07-26

Following acclaimed, sold-out runs in the West End and on Broadway, My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) will return to London’s Apollo Theatre this autumn for a strictly limited final West End engagement.

Written and performed by Rob Madge, the Olivier Award-nominated autobiographical show will play just 23 performances from 16 September to 3 October 2026, marking what Madge has described as one last hurrah before retiring the production.

Directed by 2026 Olivier Award winner Luke Sheppard, whose recent credits include Paddington the Musical, Starlight Express and & Juliet, the production features a musical score by Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, Bank of Dave: The Musical), with orchestrations by Simon Nathan. Together they bring Rob Madge’s heartfelt story to life in a celebration of imagination, family and unconditional love.

The show tells the true story of a 12-year-old Rob attempting to stage an elaborate Disney parade in their family home for their grandmother, with parents drafted in as reluctant cast and crew. As costumes malfunction, cues are missed and floats head in entirely the wrong direction, the production becomes a touching celebration of family acceptance, creativity and identity.

Since premiering at London’s Turbine Theatre in 2021, My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) has enjoyed a remarkable journey, transferring to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before embarking on a UK tour, two sell-out West End seasons and a Broadway run in New York. Along the way it won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off-West End Production, alongside honours at the Attitude and Stage Debut Awards, and received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.

Producer Paul Taylor-Mills said the production is “a story rooted in hope and acceptance” and described its journey from a Twitter direct message during lockdown to successful seasons in both the West End and New York as “nothing short of extraordinary.”

Madge is well known to theatre audiences for performances in Cabaret, Les Misérables, Oliver! and the London Palladium pantomimes, while their writing credits also include Bank of Dave: The Musical and Charley’s Aunt.

My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) runs at the Apollo Theatre from 16 September to 3 October 2026, for more information and tickets, visit the official site HERE