Drama Showcase: My Mother Was An Alien – Is That Why I’m Gay? by Nigel Fairs (cd review).

‘My Mother Was An Alien Is That Why I’m Gay?’ is an adult themed play which features the talents of Max Day, Nigel Fairs and Louise Jameson. From Big Finish, it is part of their ‘Drama Showcase’ and is written by Nigel Fairs. If you think you have problems with family, you should meet this lot.

Danny lives with Paul. Danny’s a fan of ‘Spacestation17’, something he keeps secret. He’s also a hopeless romantic. Paul’s real name is Noah and is world weary cynic with a mother who’s a lush. She’s also Yvette Dupont, the star of that cheesy 1980s space opera ‘Spacestation17’ and soon Danny’s loyalties are divided. When Yvette moves in, he quickly becomes her ally in the tempestuous relationship between mother and son.

While Yvette decries her role in the space opera as she prepares for the reunion, Danny idolises her and finds things with Paul are going from bad to worse.

Leavened with wit and humour, this is set at the time of Princess Diana’s funeral during which it seemed everyone was crying for a stranger. Family relationships are crawled over and as Danny struggles to connect with his own mother, he is drawn to the charismatic Yvette. She’s trying to cope with aging and Paul is just a bit trying. There are plenty of swear words in this, which don’t really shock anymore but when one character says, ‘I’m going to make a quiche’ there is a stunned silence.

At 60 minutes, this features plenty of verbal sparring, drunkenness and self-justification, so in many ways it’s just like spending time with your own family.

Sue Davies

(pub: Big Finish. 1 CD 60 minute story. Price: CD: £10.99 (UK), Download: £ 7.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-78178-017-6)

cast: Max Day, Nigel Fairs, Louise Jameson and John Ainsworth

check out website: www.bigfinish.com