Autism and musicalsAutism and musicals
All In The Mind
Sophie and Ryan are both on the autism spectrum, and they call themselves ‘Aspies’ even though Asperger’s is no longer an official diagnosis. They also share a passion—even an obsession—for musical theatre, so they’ve teamed up to create a cabaret called ‘The Aspie Hour’. It’s irreverent and funny and it breaks down commonly held misconceptions about autism.
29:06•31 Mar 2019
Autism, Show Tunes and Owning Your Quirks in "The Aspie Hour"
Episode Overview
- Sophie describes years of masking her autistic traits, hiding her diagnosis from others and the relief of finally sharing it through a cabaret piece.
- Ryan explains how an early diagnosis helped him accept being different and use the Aspie label as a tool for understanding himself.
- Both performers use comedy and song to turn painful experiences such as bullying, anxiety and social misunderstandings into something audiences can laugh with, not at.
- Musicals like Wicked and lesser‑known shows such as Merrily We Roll Along have deeply shaped their sense of identity and creative expression.
- The Aspie Hour aims to reclaim the term Aspie, celebrate autism as a kind of superpower, and offer an authentic portrayal that many people in and out of the spectrum can relate to.
“They say that you need to reclaim words that have been used against you and I think that's what we're trying to do is celebrate this thing that is ultimately, it's a superpower.”
What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there when people learn to own their difference instead of hiding it? This episode of *All In The Mind* turns the spotlight on autism, anxiety and identity through the unlikely pairing of cabaret and musical theatre. Host Lynne Malcolm chats with performers Sophie Smythe and Ryan Smedley, who both identify as Aspies and co-created the comedy cabaret *The Aspie Hour*.
Aimed at anyone curious about autism, mental health, or feeling different, the show mixes sharp humour, heartfelt stories and musical numbers to challenge stereotypes about life on the spectrum. Sophie shares how years of masking her traits and being bullied led her to finally “come out” about her Asperger’s diagnosis in a ten‑minute uni cabaret piece. She explains masking as “pretend[ing] to be neurotypical,” and talks about the exhaustion of constantly trying to appear “normal”.
Wicked was life-changing for her, seeing “this girl with green skin who was outcast because of something she couldn't control.” That story helped her see her own difference as something she could own. Ryan was diagnosed at six and embraced the label early, using it as a defence and a way to understand why he felt separate — especially after realising he was gay.
He leans into Aspie strengths like intense focus and mimicking social cues, and channels his experiences into original songs, from culture shock in New York to social anxiety and a bittersweet one‑night romance. Together they poke fun at awkward dating, misread signals and social blunders, turning painful moments into laughter. As Sophie puts it, autism is “ultimately… a superpower” and *The Aspie Hour* is both a celebration and an education, with a cheeky anthem insisting “everyone’s a little bit aspy”.
If you’ve ever felt out of step with everyone else, could their mix of honesty, humour and show tunes help you see your quirks in a kinder light?
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