Victor Rodger is known for calling it like he sees it. 

The celebrated playwright isn't one to worry about how people might react to his mahi - he is unapologetically himself. The title of his iconic play Black Faggot (returning at Q Theatre 25-29 June) is proof of that. 

That approach and his immense talent have seen him receiving rave reviews and countless accolades, including being made an Arts Laureate.

But as Rodger reveals to The Big Idea, it hasn't always been that way. The veteran theatre maker opens up to his 22-year-old self on what he's learned about staying true to himself.

Be your gay ass self, boo

About three years from now, you’re going to write your autobiographical first play. The main character, Noah, is going to have a girlfriend called Alex. 

If you were being completely honest, Noah should really have a boyfriend called Alex. But you think it might be too much for the community – and, in all honesty, too much for yourself, since you’re not even out to your own family. 

But you know what, young self? Don’t worry about it. Haters gonna hate. So what? Be your gay ass self, boo.

Don’t let a deadline be the death of you

About twenty years from now, you’re going to be lying in bed in the middle of the night while what feels like a knife slices through the middle of your chest. 

You know it’s because you haven’t finished a script which a producer has organised actors to read at 10am. But even though you think this is going to take you out, you STILL won’t get out of bed and open your laptop and start writing. 

Young self, I got two words for you: Work. Smarter.

Make that YES or NO delicious

About thirty years from now you’ll do a leadership course and the one thing that will stick with you is: before you accept a particular job, ask yourself – is it a Delicious Yes? Conversely, the unspoken bit is you should also ask yourself: is it a Delicious No? 

Obviously you won’t always be able to afford the luxury of turning work down. But young self, if you are ever in a position to turn down a job that you know you are going to hate every minute of – trust me, it really is going to be delicious. 


See Victor Rodger’s play Black Faggot is playing at Q Theatre from 25 – 29 June.