In this hilarious farce, Young Sam Wilson uses a humorous PowerPoint presentation to make his case for why he should be Head Boy. Performer James Akka brings a comedic flair to this original show as he navigates chaos and confronts the reality that he’s not the only student vying for the Head Boy position. QX caught up with James and he talked about being 12, gay, and the fun he’s having playing the role as a 20 something.
What inspired you to write a comedy farce based on a gay 12-year-old boy?
I’ve always found it hard to write anything serious – jokes come a lot more naturally to me! Originally, though, I wanted to write a show about being 12, because that was a very tumultuous age for me, and sexuality wasn’t supposed to feature. Turns out, though, that a lot of what I had to say about being 12 was also stuff I had to say about being in the closet. The themes overlap!
Given that you are 20-something, what made you want to play that role and did you feel at all awkward at any point?
We really play up to it in the show, the fact that I am evidently not 12. I always have a bit of stubble. I hope it makes the show a little bit more delightful to be part of a room full of people all deciding to just pretend this adult man is a young boy for laughs. My visible adulthood also provides a good level of distance for comedy purposes – it’s harder to make fun (lovingly) of 12-year-olds if people think you might actually be one!
How does the much younger you relate to Sam?
I always say that none of the events depicted actually happened, but that much of the emotional heart of the show is true. I was annoying in all the ways Sam is annoying, insecure in all the ways he is. One reviewer referred to Sam as ‘obviously gay’, which is funny, because I don’t necessarily play him that way on purpose. Some things couldn’t be hidden then and can’t be hidden now!
You use farce and a PowerPoint presentation. What was the eureka moment for that comedy combination?
I made a lot of PowerPoint presentations when I was 12, to be honest. And there are so many ways to be funny with that software. It’s the perfect setup-punchline device!
What do you think those of us who were once very young gay boys will take away from the show, and how do you think a straight audience’s takeaway will differ?
I hope they feel able to forgive themselves a little, if they were ever mean to anyone from a place of insecurity. It’s really hard being young and unsure of everything! Many gay people overcompensate with perfectionism, and that’s something I’ve had a lot of gay audience members talk to me about, but it’s a theme that straight people can get a lot from, too. For them, I’ve found that the show gives a little relatable insight into what being closeted can do to a person, and helps them understand how it feels. Hopefully, the jokes all land the same no matter who’s watching!
What other projects are you working on at the moment?
I’m writing a couple of new things I’m excited about, but they’re very early stages. Recently, I also shot a part in an upcoming AIDS drama that I was very honoured to be a part of, and I pop up in Netflix’s Talamasca!
Use discount code QXMAG for 25% off tickets.
Sorry (I Broke Your Arms and Legs) runs from 22 April – 9 May 2026, at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF, United Kingdom.
