EDINBURGH 2018: Review: THE WEDDING RECEPTION, The Principal
As the peal of wedding bells ring out across Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the sweet smell of success fills the air as Interactive Theatre International bring their riotous farce, The Wedding Reception, back to the Fringe for another year.
In a move that couldn't possibly backfire, Will and Stacey's wedding reception - supposed to be a small and intimate affair - has become an inflated surprise knees-up.
The knot may be tied, but it doesn't take long for everything around this happy couple to unravel. With the arrival of some uninvited guests, a bag of narcotics and a shock revelation concerning Elton John, happily ever after seems impossible as the once civilised evening descends into a madcap night of carnage.
The script truly is a piece of genius, pushing the boundaries of an entirely believable set of circumstances with utterly farcical comedy. Not only engaging its audience, it makes them a part of the event, which really has to be experienced to be appreciated.
From the very beginning, wedding guests are completely immersed in the occasion. As the best man mingles, asking how each unsuspecting guest knows the bride or groom, the mother of the bride talks outfits and compares fascinators.
The pace never drops across this two-and-a-half hour rollercoaster, which is effortlessly held together and pulled apart in equal measure by its four-strong cast. Hayden Wood's best man is particularly entertaining, but each of the quartet make this the unquestionable success that it is.
Pumped to bursting with energy, filled with hilarity and a riot of epic proportions, it is impossible not to fall madly in love with this immersive event. With twists to keep you guessing and a cast oozing funny, this is fast becoming a sell-out Fringe hit night after night - and it's easy to see why.
The Wedding Reception may be one of the more pricey events in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe catalogue this year, but it is most definitely worth the investment.
The Wedding Reception at The Principal (selected dates) until 27 August
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