--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My relationship with my dad was complex…" description: "\"My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I came out. The years of verbal abuse, all of it drink-fuelled, were difficult. Later, though,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/craig-revel-horwood-7567_abuse_my-relationship-with-my-dad-was-complex_1222338.jpg" --- # My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I… ![“My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I came out. The years of verbal abuse, all of it drink-fuelled, were difficult. Later, though, he came to see me on stage in 'La Cage aux Folles' - one of his favourite shows - and loved it. Theatre won him over and he accepted me in the end.” quote by Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/craig-revel-horwood-7567_abuse_my-relationship-with-my-dad-was-complex_1222338.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/craig-revel-horwood-7567_abuse_my-relationship-with-my-dad-was-complex_1222338.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/craig-revel-horwood-7567_abuse_my-relationship-with-my-dad-was-complex_1222338.jpg) > “My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I came out. The years of verbal abuse, all of it drink-fuelled, were difficult. Later, though, he came to see me on stage in 'La Cage aux Folles' - one of his favourite shows - and loved it. Theatre won him over and he accepted me in the end.” [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A strained father‑child bond can heal through shared artistic experiences that reveal personal identity and acceptance. **In simple terms:** Art can bridge family gaps. Key Takeaway Use shared passions to foster understanding. Themes family identity acceptance art healing Mood hopeful reflective Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - coming out - family gatherings - theatre performances - conflict resolution Key Concepts empathy cultural expression personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you create safe spaces for honest dialogue? - What role does vulnerability play in reconciliation? A Different Perspective Not all families respond positively to art; some may remain unchanged. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Came Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-stage-447048/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Loved Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-theatre-598497/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Relationship Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-dad-401137/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Theatre Won](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre-won-738540/) [Verbal abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verbal-abuse/) ## Related quotes > [My school entered a competition to perform a short play at the National Theatre. We won, I got scouted and I haven't looked back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-llewellyn/my-school-entered-a-competition-to-perform-a-short-play-at-the/) [Dylan Llewellyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-llewellyn/) > [STOP THE ABUSE!!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-the-abuse/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The words with which a child's heart is poisoned, whether through malice or through ignorance, remain branded in his memory, and sooner or later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/the-words-with-which-a-child-s-heart-is-poisoned-whether-through/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [“The symptoms of abuse are there, and the woman usually sees them: the escalating frequency of put-downs. Early generosity turning more and more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/the-symptoms-of-abuse-are-there-and-the-woman-usually-sees-them-the/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [I always loved acting. I always loved realism. I loved the theatre, specifically small audience, real-sets stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-cole/i-always-loved-acting-i-always-loved-realism-i-loved-the-theatre/) [Finn Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-cole/) > [I loved the theatre-my dad gave me many plays and books to read. The dramatic form just spoke to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-burstein/i-loved-the-theatre-my-dad-gave-me-many-plays-and-books-to-read-the/) [Danny Burstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-burstein/) > [I have always loved theatre and I will always do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlene-phillips/i-have-always-loved-theatre-and-i-will-always-do-it/) [Arlene Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlene-phillips/) > [I just loved being in the theatre with all those crazy, creative people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-davis/i-just-loved-being-in-the-theatre-with-all-those-crazy-creative-people/) [Kristin Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-davis/) > [But I loved the theatre and I was just doing theatre 24/7 and kept dropping courses because I didn't have the time and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/but-i-loved-the-theatre-and-i-was-just-doing-theatre-24-7-and-kept/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [I loved theatre and film when I was growing up in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. 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We wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-tennant/it-was-most-exciting-when-people-first-came-up-on-the-stage-and-then/) [Neil Tennant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-tennant/) > [Jon Davis was a fan and came out on stage with us somewhere in the Midwest and came out in a Suicide Silence shirt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-lucker/jon-davis-was-a-fan-and-came-out-on-stage-with-us-somewhere-in-the/) [Mitch Lucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-lucker/) > [This group came on stage, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and this whirling dervish, this electrifying white soul singer was so riveting. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/this-group-came-on-stage-big-brother-and-the-holding-company-and-this/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [At the Isle of Wight, the sound went out and kind of kept on going. And I wasn't... when I came off stage I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/at-the-isle-of-wight-the-sound-went-out-and-kind-of-kept-on-going-and/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) ## More by Craig Revel Horwood > [Strictly' is the most successful reality format in the world - it's in the 'Guinness Book of Records' - going to 38 countries. 'X…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/strictly-is-the-most-successful-reality-format-in-the-world-it-s-in/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [I like working with directors I respect, who give me freedom but also give me a good base from which to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-like-working-with-directors-i-respect-who-give-me-freedom-but-also/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [If I have to do my tax online, the government should pay for my Internet hook-up, darling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/if-i-have-to-do-my-tax-online-the-government-should-pay-for-my/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [I've got an iPod, of course. I'm all Mac'd up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-ve-got-an-ipod-of-course-i-m-all-mac-d-up/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [The Thorn Birds' by Colleen McCullough. I took it on a holiday to Greece and just fell in love with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/the-thorn-birds-by-colleen-mccullough-i-took-it-on-a-holiday-to/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [Actors are very emotional, whereas sports people are used to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/actors-are-very-emotional-whereas-sports-people-are-used-to-criticism/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [I love my sporty but classic brown leather Picard satchel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-love-my-sporty-but-classic-brown-leather-picard-satchel/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [I like stuff like Joy Division and Verdi, and then some naff stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-like-stuff-like-joy-division-and-verdi-and-then-some-naff-stuff/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [When I'm in a relationship I'm monogamous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/when-i-m-in-a-relationship-i-m-monogamous/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [The X Factor' - I watch it because I'm always searching for talent to use in my musicals, so they do all the groundwork…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/the-x-factor-i-watch-it-because-i-m-always-searching-for-talent-to/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [I've learnt not to expect a lot from supermodels - we've had them on 'Strictly' before and they've been horrendous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-ve-learnt-not-to-expect-a-lot-from-supermodels-we-ve-had-them-on/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [I believe in civil partnerships as it protects each partner. Whether I believe in marriage is a different thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/i-believe-in-civil-partnerships-as-it-protects-each-partner-whether-i/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [Freddie Mercury made a lot of sense to me even though I didn't understand the lyrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/freddie-mercury-made-a-lot-of-sense-to-me-even-though-i-didn-t/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [My signature dish is seafood lasagne - massive king prawns, smoked haddock, cod and a white sauce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/my-signature-dish-is-seafood-lasagne-massive-king-prawns-smoked/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > [My ears are too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/my-ears-are-too-big/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) [Explore all 90 Craig Revel Horwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. 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They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I came out. The years of verbal abuse, all of it drink-fuelled, were difficult. Later, though, he came to see me on stage in 'La Cage aux Folles' - one of his favourite shows - and loved it. 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