Originally written and performed by Cara Whitehouse and Andi Gambrill
I Want it That Gay is a nostalgic, hilarious, and heartfelt queer reimagining of pop music history
Reviewed by Tessa Miles
The Loading Dock Theatre, Qtopia Sydney
Type: Nostalgic, camp, heartfelt, comedic cabaret
If you liked: Hot Gay Time Machine, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, Titanique, &Juliet
What if the biggest pop hits of the ’90s and 2000s had been unapologetically queer? I Want It That Gay dares to answer this question in a high-energy, laugh-out-loud cabaret that seamlessly blends comedy, nostalgia, and deeply personal storytelling. Starring the charismatic duo of Cara Whitehouse and Juliet Hindmarsh, this show takes audiences on a journey through the universal queer experience—self-discovery, first crushes, identity struggles, and heartbreak—all set to the soundtrack of a generation.
The show’s structure mirrors the phases of growing up queer, with each song acting as a milestone in the journey. From repressed childhood dreams to the euphoria of finding community, the production captures the highs and lows of queer identity with humour and sincerity. The clever reimagining’s of classic pop anthems not only add layers of subtext to familiar tunes but also expose the heteronormativity ingrained in much of mainstream music history.
Whitehouse and Hindmarsh’s chemistry is electric, bouncing effortlessly between comedic moments and emotional depth. Their comedic timing is razor-sharp, and their voices breathe fresh life into songs that many in the audience grew up belting out in their bedrooms. The minimalist set design keeps the focus on the performers, while subtle lighting shifts enhance the emotional beats of the show.
A standout moment was when they took on the roles of suburban mums grappling with the complexities of accepting one mum’s non-binary child, navigating gender and sexuality, and maybe even realising they themselves might be a little gay.
More than just a night of campy fun, I Want It That Gay is a reclamation—a joyous rewriting of the past that allows queer audiences to see themselves in the music that shaped their youth. It’s a celebration of how far representation has come, while also serving as a reminder of the work still to be done.
Theatre Thought: If you could rewrite the soundtrack of your teenage years to be more authentically queer, what songs would make the list?
