Grindr Mom by Ronnie Larson, Waterloo East Theatre, 3 Brad Street, London SE1 | until 01 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

Photo credit: Waterloo East Theatre

Grindr Mom

by Ronnie Larson

Waterloo East Theatre, 3 Brad Street, London SE1 | until 01 March 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

“Funny, heartbreaking and a performance not to miss.”

A superb performance by Jessica Martin is why this 4-star play gets those five stars. She plays a Mormon wife and mother of one son who has come out as gay. They have not told her husband, a difficult man to say the least. She says she is good at keeping secrets. The son is a Democrat, the parents are loyal Republicans, and regular church attenders. He one vice is she is obsessed with Pepsi Cola which she drinks in secret, she explains. Martin, seated in an armchair, family photographs to hand confides in the audience perfectly. Naturally, like any good mother, she wants to know where he met his husband to be. He tells her it was on Grindr. What was that? A gay dating site. But Mom does not leave it there. Her search for Grindr is hilarious, as is how having found one thing she needs to know more. The skill with which Martin negotiates the progress of obsession has to be admired because what starts of as funny gradually changes into something very sad so that by the end her life has been changed for ever. Larson's play is a comedy, but comedy can be every bit as serious as drama and this one directed by Gerald Armin very well indeed

is a fine example of how to turn laughter into tears. If you ask questions you have to beware the answers. Grindr Mom with Martin really is that rare event – one not to miss.

Cast

Jessica Martin – Mom

Creatives

Director - Gerald Armin

Lighting – Jonathan Firman

Design – Waterloo East Theatre