The Wedding Present regifted as a musical

Featuring the songs and music of David Gedge and his Yorkshire-based bands The Wedding Present and Cinerama, Reception: The Wedding Present Musical premieres this summer (Warehouse, Leeds, August 22-September 6), coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the band's debut single Go Out and Get 'Em Boy.

The show, by York-based writer/director Matt Aston is a story of love, loss, break-ups and breakdowns, based around a group of Leeds University friends who keep in touch over five years of life events, including a funeral, a wedding and the accompanying reception.

The Wedding Present band was formed at Leeds University in1985, led throughout by Leeds-born singer and guitarist David Gedge, the band’s only constant member. The band has charted 18 singles in the top 40 UK chart and is still touring and releasing new music.

David Gedge and Matt Aston (r)

David said : “When Matt approached me with the idea of a Wedding Present musical, I was intrigued. I’m a big fan of ABBA and loved how their songs were used in Mamma Mia, and I’m always keen to try out new ideas. I know the team has worked hard and I'm really excited to see the finished product.”

Show originator Matt said: “It was almost 20 years ago I had the first inkling that a Wedding Present musical might work. David had returned to Leeds to perform his songs with the BBC Big Band for Radio 3 and his lyrical and conversational storytelling shone through.

“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.

“Building the music and stories into a script has been fantastic. The team and I are all very excited about premiering the show this summer."

Casting is still to be announced.

More info and tickets here