York writer-director Matt Aston, left, walking through Leeds with The Wedding Present’s singer, lyricist, guitarist and only permanent member, David Gedge
THIS is a story of love gone wrong, love gone right and then love gone wrong again, in keeping with David Gedge’s songs that inspired Reception, The Wedding Present Musical.
Presented by Perfect Blue Productions and York writer-director Matt Aston’s company Engine House Theatre, the world premiere will be staged at Slung Low’s theatre space, The Warehouse, in Holbeck, Leeds, from August 22 to September 6.
The plot opens in 1985, the year when Leeds University mathematics student Gedge formed The Wedding Present. That summer, a group of Leeds friends is celebrating the end of university days, but life does not always work out as planned.
Events both unfold and entangle at a graduation ceremony, funeral, wedding and, of course, the receptions that follow over a span of five turbulent years. You should always keep in touch with your friends…or should you, asks Aston, as he explores how we grow together and apart.
Featuring songs by Leeds-born Gedge’s semi-legendary indie band, full of frantic energy and distorted guitars, and his more cinematic, French pop-inspired group Cinerama, this new musical heads back to the sticky dance floors and crimped hair of 1980s’ Leeds for a coming-of-age story of love, friendship, growing up, regret and reconnection.
Reception marks the 40th anniversary of The Wedding Present’s debut single, Go Out And Get ’Em Boy, the first of many to be aired by late-night BBC Radio One maverick John Peel, who once said: “The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the rock’n’roll era. You may dispute this, but I’m right and you’re wrong!”
The “Weddoes” chalked up 18 Top 40 singles and built a devoted cult following – Aston, for example, has seen them in concert more than 50 times – drawn to the searing wit and narrative candour of Gedge’s arch, romantic yet perennially disappointed songs of love and longing, life’s high hopes and low blows, break-ups and breakdowns, chance and no chance.
The likes of indie classics My Favourite Dress, Kennedy, Brassneck and Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft will be performed in new arrangements by Aston’s dynamic ensemble of actor-musicians, along with a new Gedge composition, written expressly for the premiere.
“It was almost 20 years ago when I had the first inkling that a Wedding Present musical might work,” says Matt. “David had returned to Leeds to perform a selection of his songs with the BBC Big Band for Radio 3.
“The arrangements for the songs were astonishing, as different as you could possible imagine but David’s lyrical and conversational storytelling still shone through. His lyrics are cinematic, emotional and rich with story – they felt naturally theatrical.
“Then later seeing Wedding Present and Cinerama concerts backed with 16-piece orchestras and full choirs helped cement the thought that the songs could work perfectly in a musical.
“Early in 2019 I met Tony Ereira, director of Leeds-based record labels Come Play With Me and Clue Records, at – where else?! – a Wedding Present gig in Leeds, and the idea of getting the play off the ground started take shape.
“Now, with this phenomenal cast of multi-talented actor-musicians, we’ve found the perfect group to bring that vision to life with heart, humour and edge. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Guitarist, lyricist and singer David is intrigued by what lies in store at The Warehouse: “When Matt approached me with the idea of a Wedding Present musical, I was intrigued…I’d never imagined my songs being used in a musical, but I loved how Mamma Mia! reimagined ABBA, and I’ve always been up for trying new things,” he says. “I’m excited to see how the show brings the songs to life in a new way.”
Tickets for a musical that “thrums with real emotion, biting wit and restless energy, like the band that inspired it” are on sale on 0113 213 7700 or at leedsplayhouse.org.uk. Wedding Guest table packages are available.
Writer-director Matt Aston, back row, left, and The Wedding Present and Cinerama frontman David Gedge, back row, right, with cast members for Reception: The Wedding Present Musical. Picture: Northedge Photography
Who will be in the cast for Reception, The Wedding Present Musical?
Zoe Allan as Rachel
Rachel is a confident yet vulnerable graduate of Leeds University who, having experienced loss and pain early in life, has carefully planned a future of love and security. Or so she thought.
Zoe is a passionate working-class performer from the North East with a versatile background across stage, screen and independent film projects. Her credits include Pippin, directed by Barbara Houseman, and When We Strike, an original musical developed by BYMT.
She graduated from Leeds Conservatoire’s Musical Theatre programme and is excited to be back in Leeds for this production.
Lawrence Hodgson‐Mullings as Harry
Harry is Rachel’s first love. Leeds born and bred, he has never left Yorkshire and dreams of adventure before settling down.
Leeds native Lawrence can next be seen in Sally Wainwright’s Riot Women for Drama Republic and the BBC. His screen work includes Fool Me Once (Netflix), Catherine Called Birdy (Working Title), complemented by stage roles in The Enormous Crocodile (Leeds Playhouse/Regent’s Park), Dick Whittington (National Theatre), and The Panopticon (National Theatre of Scotland).
After cutting his teeth with Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre, he trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was a Spotlight Prize finalist. He is a violinist and baritone singer too.
Richard Lounds as John
John is Harry’s best friend. A couple of years older than the rest, he is a source of steady support and advice.
Richard is a performer, musician and dramaturg who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His credits include LIFELINE Off-Broadway(Signature Theatre, New York), The Storm Whale ((Little Angel, York Theatre Royal), The Secret Garden (Tabard Theatre), The Mould That Changed The World and Mr Men And Little Miss On Stage. As a vocalist, he has toured internationally and was a choral scholar at Merton College, Oxford.
Amara Latchford as Sally
Sally is Rachel’s best friend and John’s on/off girlfriend. She has loved university life but is ready for what’s next.
Amara is a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire’s Actor Musician programme, who plays piano, guitar and violin. Their credits include Vernon God Little (Leeds Conservatoire, 2024); The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Tutti Frutti, 2024); The Polar Express (London Euston, 20th Anniversary, 2024); The Storm And The Minotaur (Slung Low, 2025), and All My Pretty Ones (Birmingham Rep, 2025).
Particularly passionate about movement, and ways stories can be communicated through the body, they are training in Kung Fu and various dance styles. Drawing on their wealth of experience in songwriting and composing their own music, they aim to release an EP at the end of the summer.
They describe themselves as a creative octopus, with a vibrant curiosity and desire to explore as many creative avenues as humanly possible. Others have described Amara as a bold and fearless performer.
Matthew Bugg as Dad
Dad to Rachel and Joe, he has moved to Leeds to be close to them after a shared family tragedy.
Matthew, a theatre artist with 25 years’ experiences across many disciplines, is the creator of Miss Nightingale, writing, directing and performing in the hit musical that toured the UK five times between 2011 and 2017, then played the Vaults and Hippodrome Theatre in London.
Jack Hardy in rehearsal for his role as Keir/Keith/Kevin. Picture: Northedge Photography
He has worked as an actor, choreographer or composer on seven other West End shows including Zorro, The Secret Of Sherlock Holmes, Dear Lupin, Our Man In Havana and Cirque Berserk.
Touring works include: King Lear (ATG); Angelina Ballerina (UK and international tour); The Handyman; Star Quality; Lark Rise To Candleford; Quartet; The Hound Of The Baskervilles; Northanger Abbey; Jamaica Inn; Three Men In A Boat and numerous shows for the Agatha Christie Company.
He teaches musical theatre at Leeds Conservatoire and has extensive experience as a composer, lyricist and musical director. He is an active member of Mercury Musicals Development and a judge for the Stiles and Drewe songwriting competition.
Rebecca Levy as Estrella
Estrella is a mature, perpetual student, who has done course after course. She thinks she is better than everyone else… and probably is. But she means well.
Rebecca graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2016 and is an actor, singer-songwriter and youth facilitator. Her credits include Rapunzel (Liverpool Everyman); Cinderella, Vernons Girls (Royal Court, Liverpool), A Letter To Harvey Milk and Mamma Mia! The Party. She released her debut album, How to Keep Your Girlfriend 101, in 2019. She is an emerging composer, with credits including Animal Farm for NYMT.
Hannah Nuttall as Jane
Jane is the quiet one of the group…most of the time. A Doris Day obsessive and happily single, she is not quite sure where life will take her next.
Hannah trained at Italia Conti Academy. Her credits include Yeast Nation (Southwark Playhouse), Dick Whittington, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella (Theatre Royal Wakefield), Soho Songs (Crazy Coqs) and In The Time Of Dragons. She is a theatre educator and composer too, including for The Girl Who Saved The Sea (Beansprout Theatre Company).
Zach Burns as Joe
Joe is Rachel’s younger brother – a fact her friends never let him forget. Mature beyond his years, he is finding his place in the world.
Zach trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Credits include Yesterday (Workshop), Sleeping Beauty (Radlett Centre), and Potty The Plant (Edinburgh Fringe). He has recording credits as a vocalist on The Sandman (Netflix) and Idols (Yungblud) and is known for his work in new musical theatre and actor-musician collaborations.
Caitlin Lavagna as Emma
Emma is the rector of Leeds Minster, an upstanding and respected member of the local community.
Caitlin is a Welsh-Gibraltarian actor-musician, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who graduated from Rose Bruford College. Credits include Housemates (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff), Operation Julie(Theatr na nÓg), Vernons Girls (Royal Court, Liverpool), and Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical.
Also a singer-songwriter, whose single October won Best Actress and Best Music Video at the Celynen Film Festival. She was named Best Female Act at the 2025 Radio Wigwam Awards. Drummer and vocalist for the band Big Wednesday.
Jack Hardy as Keir/Keith/Kevin
Barman at the pub that hosts all the receptions, although no-one ever gets his name right. A political activist with big ambitions, he is searching for his voice.
Leeds-born actor and musician Jack attained A Levels at CAPA College before continuing his journey at ArtsEd on the BA Acting course. From 2021 to 2024, he completed his training on the Actor Musician BA programme at Leeds Conservatoire. Multi-instrumentalist musician, playing piano, guitar, synth, bass, drums and voice. Passionate writer and songwriter with a love for stories that blend music and performance.
Matt Aston on a bench in Rowntree Park, York, when directing Park Bench Theatre under Covid restrictions. Picture: Livy Potter
Did you know?
RECEPTION writer-director Matt Aston’s credits include The Storm Whale and Grandad’s Island at York Theatre Royal and the Park Bench Theatre seasons in Rowntree Park, York, as well as directing Line Of Duty star Vicky McLure in Stephen Lowe’s Touched, James
Bolam in William Ivory’s Bomber’s Moon and David Mamet’s Oleanna with Alistair McGowan.
Artistic director of Engine House Theatre and winner of the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Encouragement of New Writing.
The Wedding Present to release 40th anniversary retrospective 40 on September 19 on vinyl and CD
Jonathan Hitchen’s artwork for The Wedding Present’s compilation album 40
ON September 19, CLUE Records will release 40, a “chronological, aural journey” through The Wedding Present’s album tracks, singles and B-sides. Frosted clear quadruple vinyl box sets and quadruple CD sets are available for pre-order at https://cluerecords.myshopify.com/collections/the-wedding-present-40.
After 13 studio albums, 20 compilations and a heap of singles, EPs, live albums and live sessions – with more on the way – 40 will be a “commemorative reflection of this complex and fascinating catalogue”.
Artwork by the Weddoes’ regular cover designer Jonathan Hitchen will be complemented by extensive sleeve notes by David Gedge, along with music writer Mark Beaumont. Gedge’s commentary provides an insight into the workings of his band and a track-by-track guide to the compilation.
The track listing will be: Side A/CD1, Go Out And Get ’Em Boy; You Should Always Keep In Touch With Your Friends; Anyone Can Make A Mistake; Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft; A Million Miles; My Favourite Dress.
Side B/CD1, Nobody’s Twisting Your Arm; Davni Chasy; Give My Love To Kevin (Acoustic Version); Kennedy; What Have I Said Now.
Side C/CD2, Bewitched; Take Me!; Brassneck; Crawl. Side D/CD2, Dalliance; Dare; Suck; Blonde; Corduroy. Side E/CD2, Heather; Blue Eyes; Come Play With Me; Flying Saucer; Click Click.
Side F/CD3, Spangle; Convertible; Montreal; Kansas; I’m From Further North Than You ; Interstate 5. Side G/CD4, Perfect Blue; Don’t Take Me Home Until I’m Drunk; Boo Boo; Deer Caught In The Headlights. Side H/CD4, Two Bridges; Rachel; I Am Not Going To Fall In Love With You; Science Fiction; Hot Wheels.
Two Big Egos In A Small Car podcast special with David Gedge
The Wedding Present’s David Gedge with Two Big Egos In A Small Car podcaster Charles Hutchinson, pictured outside Leeds University Union in April 2025
Listen to David Gedge discuss 40 years Of The Wedding Present, the Reception musical and his Rise@Bluebird Bakery show with Two Big Egos In A Small Car podcasters Charles Hutchinson and Graham Chalmers at:
