The groundbreaking, award-winning 'Fun Home' is a musical theatre adaptation of Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir of the same name. It explores family dynamics, identity, and the journey to self-discovery.

In it, we meet Alison, who, after the death of her father, dives deep into her past to tell the story of their complex relationship. For those in the audience, 'Fun Home' offers a rare opportunity to engage with a story celebrating diversity, and promoting understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience.

There's music, storytelling and emotionally resonant performances from a talented cast.

Presenting 'Fun Home' is PIP Theatre in Brisbane: a company dedicated to presenting diverse, socially-relevant productions with the aim to challenge perceptions and foster dialogue in the community.

Here, Adam Bartlett, who plays Alison's father Bruce Bechdel in 'Fun Home', answers some questions about the show, and PIP Theatre. Adam has previously appeared on stage in roles like Jean Valjean in 'Les Miserables', and in tours of 'The Merry Widow' and 'A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum'. His connection to this show in particular is deeply personal.

Firstly, what is ‘Fun Home’?
'Fun Home' is a musical based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.

Why do you think this story will resonate with audiences?
It’s a story about family and individuality and how two people who are very close deal with their sexuality. Father and daughter are both gay but in very different stages of their lives. Their sexuality both connects and divides them. These days most people know someone who is queer. So it's a universal story that will hopefully connect to the hearts of the audience.

It’s the first lesbian-themed musical to hit Broadway! What’s your favourite thing about this show?
The fact that it’s openly honest about Alison’s sexuality and her father's. It’s not a show that pulls any punches. It’s real and courageous in its portrayal of Alison and her coming out and the realisation that her beloved dad was also gay but couldn’t reach 'four miles from his door' to the gay community to embrace his sexuality.

There’s already been seasons of this show in Melbourne and Sydney. How has the reception been so far?
I think wherever it’s been played its had outstanding reviews and reception. It won five Tony Awards in 2015 including Best Musical, Score and Book.

And what are you most excited for when it comes to bringing it to Brisbane audiences?
As a gay man and with many queer actors in the show I think it's a relevant and essential musical to highlight issues of sexuality both struggle and celebration. This show highlights both very beautifully.

You’ve loved theatre and the arts for a while now. What drew you to it to begin with?
I think I’ve always been drawn to it as a means to know myself better and explore myself through performance. There is a self-awareness and growth that I get through acting. It’s a mirror to know a deeper and higher part of myself. It’s a spiritual and therapeutic journey for me. I love it.

For those unfamiliar, what is PIP Theatre?
Located in the lively Milton area along Park Road, PIP Theatre is a registered not-for-profit charity that leverages the transformative power of performing arts to drive social change. Our 100-seat intimate venue serves as a vibrant entertainment hub, complemented by a plethora of trendy restaurants for a complete evening out. At PIP Theatre, our purpose is to embed powerful messages in the heart of each performance, igniting conversations and inspiring positive societal impact.

You play Bruce Bechdel in the show. Tell us a bit about him.
Bruce was a gay man living a straight life. He was gay when you couldn’t be gay. So he lived a life as best as he could. He raised three children and was married to a woman as it was the thing to do. He was very artistic, loved historic restoration and renovated his house tirelessly. He was an English teacher and funeral director hence the name 'Fun Home', the pet name his kids gave to the funeral home.

What has been the biggest challenge when it comes to tapping into this character?
It’s an emotional rollercoaster to play a character that takes his own life. I’ve had those feelings when I got divorced from my wife and had to build a gay life at 48 from scratch. It's tough and I can relate totally to Bruce and his emotional journey. This role is very raw and exposing for me. It’s taken a lot of strength and courage to go into his emotional journey as it’s very close to a hard time I had in mine.

And what do you hope Brisbane audiences take away from ‘Fun Home’ when they leave the theatre?
I hope they hug someone close to them or reach out to someone they may know could be struggling with any aspect of their life or sexual identity. As our director Sherryl-Lee Secomb says, “we hope it starts a conversation!” It’s also a fun show and we hope people feel entertained as well as moved.

'Fun Home' plays PIP Theatre (Brisbane) 29 August-14 September.