A gripping, emotional coming out journey.
As part of the Royal Exchange’s 50 year celebration season, this is the 20th anniversary of the musical Fun Home, and director Sarah Frankcom’s 30th production for the Royal Exchange.
Cartoonist Alison Bechdel looks back on growing up in her family’s funeral home in rural Pennsylvania, coming out and her complicated relationship with her larger-than-life father, uncovering family secrets along the way.
Jodie McNee takes the lead as Alison, narrating, and participating in, vignettes of her life. Medium Alison and Small Alison take on the younger incarnations ultimately coming together as one in the final moments. Her father, Bruce Bechdel (Nigel Harman) struggles with his own secrets; her mother Helen (Alison Young) knows more than others realise.
First-rate performances across the board, but particular call-outs for the polished performances from Reuben Shepherd (John) and Theo Wake (Christian) as the two sons, alongside star-in-waiting Harriet O’Shea as the youngest version of Alison. All three young actors relished this opportunity and brought the house down with the hilarious Come to the Fun Home.
Set to a sensational score by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Lisa Kron, Fun Home delivers humour, darkness, and emotional punches across 100 minutes of uninterrupted voyeurism.
When you overhear an audience member whisper “Oh, it’s a she” you realise that productions and writing like this are as vital and important today as they ever were. A stunning revival of this Broadway multi-award winning musical, thoroughly deserving of its standing ovation..
5 stars
Royal Exchange Theatre: July 3rd-August 1st, 2026 TICKETS
Garry Thomas- Lowde for Canal St Media