Exploring modern parenthood and allyship, new musical Raising Gays launches in the West End this July with a special concert reading at the Garrick Theatre. Blending sharp comedy with emotional insights and soaring new music, this vibrant new show asks what it means to support the people you love when you don’t always have the answers.
With the book by Micha Mirto and music and lyrics by Jordan Paul Clarke, this script-in-hand presentation is designed to introduce the piece to the world before it embarks on its exciting journey.
We had a chat with them.
MICHA
Were there any stereotypes or assumptions you consciously wanted to challenge?
Absolutely, there's a stereotype that opinions are binary; if you're not one thing, then you must be the other, opposing thing. If you're not left-wing, you must be right-wing. If you're not an ally, you must be a homophobe. So a parent can either be totally 100 per cent understanding and supportive of their kid - or they're a tyrant.
But of course, that could not be further from the truth - and most parents live on the grey scale somewhere in between. Parents who don't totally understand their kids but are showing up regardless. Raising Gays asks the question, is it possible to love someone without understanding them?
In what moment you realised the show was really working?
For me it was the 1st reading (a lunchtime sharing at The Other Palace). We were honestly just trying things out -and it was far from perfect (or even finished) but i don't think i'll ever forget the way the material ricocheted around the room, it was electric, and since then (despite the fact it's been two whole years) people who were in the audience of that original reading are still asking about it, they're still excited for it - and it means the world.
Which lyric or line hits you hardest personally?
There are so many. I think, though, that one bit that always gets me is when Paul, our most stoic character (great at fixing things terrible at 'feelings') sings about his son, specifically 'and I really am so proud' and it's such a beautiful, unexpected and sincere admission from the kind of gruff Dad who doesn't really say how he feels. It gets me every time.
If audiences could take away one message from the show, what would it be?
Listen, please listen. To people who disagree with you, to people who are different to you - you're allowed to get it wrong, human beings mess up sometimes and it's ok if we don’t always completely understand each other. But try anyway. Believe me, it means everything because trying is where both love and progress live. As long as both sides are still trying - things can, and *do* get better.
JORDAN
Were there any stereotypes or assumptions you consciously wanted to challenge?
I don't think it was conscious at first, but as we've continued creating the show, I think we're challenging the idea that people reach a point in life where they can't change. We don't believe that's true; we've seen it in our very own parents (who worked incredibly hard to listen, grow, and learn in the later years of their lives) and this show celebrates that. We fundamentally believe that people will only be able to change their beliefs/feelings if others are patient and empathetic towards them. We're saying that truly listening to those who might disagree with us - or misunderstand us - is the first step toward finding common ground.
In what moment you realised the show was really working?
For me, it was when I was at the Birmingham Hippodrome sharing Raising Gays in a concert (shout out to Brum Hipp for their incredible support of new writing). Before I'd even sung, the audience's response to the idea of a show that focused on the parents' perspective was visceral. Then, I sang an upbeat song from the show (sung by a dad whose kid is changing their pronouns and leaving him PANICKED) and they went absolutely wild for it, which was so reassuring and humbling. THEN I sang a second number; a gentle song about a mum who's daughter has recently come out, and when she came out to her, this character's reaction wasn't very kind. They haven't spoken for a while. The song is really about the desire to stay connected within your family, and to feel like home is always a safe place. Halfway through the song, I could just hear people all over the theatre sniffing back tears - which made it almost impossible to finish singing it because I'm an emotional bunny myself at the best of times. Afterwards, I couldn't leave the venue for people wanting to come and share their own stories with me. This was when I realised we had something special.
Which lyric or line hits you hardest personally?
There are so many moments of this show that move me. Micha's script is breathtaking, and her ability to break your heart and entertain you from one moment to the next will always floor me. There's one moment where two parents are arguing, and one says to the other (about their daughter:) "Parenting is uncomfortable. Be uncomfortable for five seconds, or you'll end up losing her." That always cuts me up. It's the idea that what's at stake for all these characters is the possibility of losing their relationships with their kids, which is something none of the characters in Raising Gays are prepared to let happen, no matter what it takes.
If audiences could take away one message from the show, what would it be?
If I had to choose one singular message, it would be to allow people the time and space they need to understand others that aren't the same as them. The world is a better place when people are given space to be imperfect and different, and I truly believe patience always comes back to us. In a world that is quickly losing touch with the imperfections that make things human and vulnerable, I hope people see our show and just might leave with a bit more patience for other people of all backgrounds, experiences and generations.
You can find the tickets: here.
Interview: Jason Lane