The Story: Fun Home (as you will learn in the play, is the pet name of the Bechdel Funeral Home), revolves around the relatable theme of childhood – and the realisations that you make when you look back on it. Based on the memoir of artist Allison Bechdel (of the Bechdel Test), experience her queer childhood through both child and adult eyes. We go through three stages of her life – Being a child, being a teenager and coming out and looking back on all these events as an adult.
The Verdict: It’s been a pretty long time since I’ve laughed out loud hysterically but Fun Home made me do it. I’ve cried both tears of laughter and sadness during the show. It’s a simple story about a teen girl coming out to her family and finding out some dark family secrets. As an adult, she reflects on the clues that were present in her childhood about her family as well as her own sexuality. While it is simple, the script throws in narration and musical numbers that make this story exciting. A personal favourite of mine is the song Changing My Major, sung after our heroine decides that she is a lesbian.
The young cast playing the Bechdel children is impressive. (I’m probably three times their age and I can’t do half of what they can!) They even have a few musical numbers of their own that they pull off with finesse. The set design is incredible and possibly one of the best things about the production. Through clever lighting and set moving tricks, the locations can transform in a snap. This adds to the sense that the physical house itself is a major player in the game too.
Despite the R18 rating, it’s less sexual and more family and love but it’s still pretty obvious why they got that rating. Which is a pity because the people who stand to benefit the most from the message of the play are slightly below the minimum age. Honestly, I was surprised that this musical (which features gay characters and a lesbian sex scene) was allowed to be shown here. (Didn’t they have a super big problem with that one line in Les Mis the last time? I digress.) Overall, enjoyable – hilarious at some moments and heartbreaking at others.
Rating: 4/5 Stars