REVIEW: James Barr: Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum), W!ZARD Live ★★★★

Content Warning: This show, and therefore this review, heavily discusses serious themes of domestic violence within LGBTQ+ relationships. Reader discretion is advised.

Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum) follows the retelling of James Barr’s abusive relationship, beginning on Grindr and ending with a christmas card to James’ mother which read “Sorry I hurt your son”. James details intimate details of his experience, including manipulative language, intense physical violence and animal abuse. This show is a difficult watch for a comedy show, but James makes it clear early on that he encourages you to laugh along with him about his experiences, without ever making light of or dulling down what happened. It is raw and real and uses humour to educate and inform about domestic violence in LGBTQ+ relationships.

The show opens with a trigger warning in the form of a club track, which also remarkably sets you up for a campy comedy. It is an imaginative way to warn the audience and not something I have seen done before.

The talking points in this show make an excellent list of signs to look out for within an abusive relationship, pointing out the little things early on that he chose to brush off in the name of love, such as using small insults to diminish his self worth and manipulating him with statements such as “I’m more upset about [the abuse] than you are”. It is insighitful and gives us harrowing facts such as 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ relationships are abusive, but it is more likely to be overlooked because it is a queer relationship.

The comedy in this piece works by making jokes and playing around a concept and then revealing the shocking reality, it is absolutely the sort of show that will have you on the edge of tears before making you laugh, and I found the humour makes the reality more accessible. This is not the funniest show you will see in Edinburgh, but it may well be the most educational comedy you see.

This show is an excellent and respectful representation of domestic violence, intersperced with delicious queer comedy, and is absolutely worth a watch.

Recommended Drink: Pair this with a Rosé and an insightful chat with your loved ones.

You can catch James Barr: Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum) until August 24th at Buttercup at Underbelly, George Square from 20:15 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.