Returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with its Bobby Award already in tow, An Adequate Abridgement of Boarding School Life as a Homo is a blisteringly funny and quietly profound exploration of queer adolescence in the most rigid of institutions. Presented by Choir Boys Productions and staged at Underbelly (Friesian), this hour-long comedy is written by Ned Blackburn, who also stars as Johnny, an 18-year-old boarding school student navigating masculinity, shame and Grindr with Britney Spears as his emotional soundtrack.
This is not a coming out story, nor a gay tragedy. It’s a candid, often hilarious account of a young man who knows exactly who he is, but finds himself in a world that refuses to accept it. Johnny is flamboyant, sharp and painfully self-aware, stumbling through the rituals of rugby, sex education and social hierarchy with a mix of sarcasm and vulnerability. Blackburn’s performance is magnetic, full of subtle glances and gestures that speak volumes. His Johnny is both deeply relatable and utterly singular.
Harvey Weed plays every other character with astonishing range and precision. From the awkward sex ed teacher to Johnny’s love interest, Harry Carter Green, a confident rugby lad with a complicated relationship to his own desires, Weed ensures each role feels distinct and fully realised. His portrayal of Harry is particularly affecting, capturing the tension between bravado and tenderness with nuance.
Directed by Meg Bowron and Josh Stainer, the production is tightly paced and emotionally layered. It tackles contemporary issues like revenge porn and internalised homophobia without ever losing its comedic edge. The writing is sharp and unflinching, balancing wit with moments of genuine heartbreak. The Britney-infused soundtrack adds a playful, nostalgic energy that contrasts beautifully with the darker themes.
This is a show that understands the absurdity and pain of growing up queer in a world that still demands conformity. An Adequate Abridgement of Boarding School Life as a Homo is a bold piece of theatre – funny, moving and absolutely worth a watch.
