Gecko Brings Dystopian Future on UK Tour in THE WEDDING

Award-winning physical theatre company Gecko's new show The Wedding focuses on personal and political marriage. With a performing company of nine, this is Gecko's most ambitious show to date and visits Bristol's Old Vic for a limited run (17-20 January).

Gecko is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav. Established in 2001, Gecko has developed 6 full-length shows, numerous youth projects and workshops and celebrated its 15th anniversary last year.

We are all married, bound by a contract.

But what are the terms of this relationship? And can we consider a divorce?

Gecko's seventh creation, The Wedding, is inspired by the complexities of human nature: the struggle between love and anger, creation and destruction, community and isolation.

The extraordinary ensemble of nine international performers guides audiences through a blur of wedding dresses and contractual obligations, a dystopian world in which we are all brides, wedded to society.

Combining movement, imagery and provocative narratives in Gecko's trademark style, The Wedding brings these contracts into question with an emotionally charged and spectacular performance.

We all want to believe in our journey, but where are we heading? Is it too late to stop, to go back, to fall in love, to start again?

Amit Lahav, Gecko's Artistic Director, has devised a rigorous and productive process of developing a show over a period of two years, including an initial phase of development followed by a Creation Tour in which the show changes and progresses dramatically. The Wedding's first work in progress was shared in June 2016 at Pulse Festival in Ipswich and the show's Creation Tour took place in spring 2017 (Northern Stage in Newcastle, New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry).

"Walked in to watch a play. Left feeling ready to change the world." Audience response at New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich

"So glad people are making such raw, powerful theatre." Audience response on Twitter

Autumn tour dates include: Bristol Old Vic / 17-20 January, Watford Palace Theatre / 23-25 January, Nottingham Playhouse / 1-3 February, Derby Theatre / 8-10 February, Liverpool Playhouse / 21-24 February, Cast in Doncaster / 27 February, Oxford Playhouse / 1-3 March, Nuffield Southampton Theatres 6-9 March

Supported by Arts Council England and Ipswich Borough Council. The Wedding is a Gecko production co-commissioned by DanceEast and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Northern Stage, HOME Manchester and Beijing 707 N-Theatre Co. Ltd (Edinburgh Fringe Showcase in China) in association with Lighthouse, Poole and Warwick Arts Centre, supported by The Point, Eastleigh.

Amit Lahav, Gecko's Artistic Director said: "As a company working with an international ensemble of artists we are devoted to sharing our work with as wide an audience as possible. To have eight regional arts organisations supporting us in this commitment with The Wedding is of great significance. Gecko's ambition is to be seen as a resident rather than touring company in each place we visit: to develop and nurture a long-lasting relationship not only with the in-house team but with the audiences who put their trust in us each time they come to experience a Gecko show."

Bristol Old Vic's Executive Producer, Chloé Elwood: "We are delighted to welcome back the inimitable Gecko to our Theatre. Bristol's audiences have always embraced their enigmatic style and originality and it is a pleasure to present this urgent and ambitious work in our building."

Spring tour 2018:

Bristol Old Vic / 17-20 January / tickets available here.

Watford Palace Theatre / 23-25 January / tickets available here.

Nottingham Playhouse / 1-3 February / tickets available here.

Derby Theatre / 8-10 February / tickets available here.

Liverpool Playhouse / 21-24 February /tickets available here.

Cast in Doncaster / 27 February / tickets here.

Oxford Playhouse / 1-3 March / tickets available here.

Nuffield Southampton Theatres / 6-9 March / tickets available here.

Photo Credit: Richard Haighton

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