A brand-new musical celebrating the music and legacy of indie legends The Wedding Present is set to premiere this summer in Leeds. Reception: The Wedding Present Musical, written and directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Matt Aston, opens at The Warehouse in Holbeck (Slung Low) on Friday 22 August and runs until Saturday 6 September 2025. Press night is scheduled for Tuesday 26 August at 7.30pm.
Presented by Perfect Blue Productions and Engine House Theatre, the production draws inspiration from the songs of David Gedge, the Leeds-born frontman of The Wedding Present and Cinerama. The show coincides with the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut single Go Out and Get 'Em Boy and promises to be a heartfelt homage to four decades of heartbreak, nostalgia, and indie grit.
At the heart of Reception is a story of love, friendship, loss, and reconnection, told through the lives of a group of Leeds University students navigating five transformative years. From graduation to weddings and funerals, the show captures the very essence of Gedge’s emotionally charged songwriting — raw, tender, and wryly observational.
Gedge, surprised but intrigued by the concept, says: “I never imagined my songs in a musical, but the team have done something really special. I’m genuinely excited to see it come to life.”
The musical will feature a mix of cabaret-style table seating and traditional raked theatre seating, offering an intimate and immersive audience experience. Fans can expect classic tracks from The Wedding Present’s extensive catalogue, as well as songs from Cinerama and an all-new composition written specifically for the show.
Matt Aston, whose previous directing credits include Touched with Vicky McClure and Oleanna with Alistair McGowan, says the idea has been brewing since witnessing Gedge perform with the BBC Big Band. “His lyrics always carried a strong narrative — they were practically begging for a theatrical life.”
Casting is to be announced in the coming months. Tickets start at £16.90 with special “Wedding Guest” packages available.
For more details and bookings, visit slunglow.org.
