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The National
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
I went to the 'first ever wedding' at the Edinburgh Fringe
But on Saturday, I was privileged to witness the marriage of Linus Ljunggren and Joseph Paterson, two festival icons. Believed to be the first ever legal wedding to take place at the world-famous festival, the ceremony was as outrageous and delightful and camp as you might expect – but it was also a beautiful testament to two people who are deeply committed to each other. The order of service for the ceremony, which took place at The Grand in Pleasance Courtyard (Image: NQ) The pair have known each other for more than 10 years and are true Fringe royalty. Through their production company Awkward Productions, they're known for their sell-out shows Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, and Gwyneth Goes Skiing – two of my favourite shows I've seen in recent years. Before anyone asks – yes, their wedding was technically a "show". Yes, anyone could buy a ticket and come along. Yes, you could wear whatever you wanted. In order to appreciate the wedding fully, you have to throw out any preconceived notions you might have about what a wedding is "supposed" to be. There is no perfect formula – it should simply be what you want it to be. READ MORE: Derry Girls star and Scots DJ pay homage to Celtic roots in Irish wedding The proceedings began with a heart-wrenching rendition of 2 Become 1 by the Spice Girls, sung by none other than comedian and actress Sooz Kempner. Then the grooms arrived. In a wonderfully executed routine, Joseph came on stage to Charli XCX's Von Dutch, while Linus was literally carried down the aisle by a handful of shirtless men. There were the classic wedding speeches – but with a twist. One of the best men gave a dramatic reading of Miley Cyrus's Party In The USA (there wasn't a dry eye in the room), while another best man gave a speech featuring random words which had been selected by the audience. It was pure, joyful chaos. Joseph (left) and Linus (right) pictured with officiant Jackie Blackburn (Image: NQ) Onto the actual ceremony, which was officiated by Jackie Blackburn from City of Edinburgh Council, in case you were in any doubt that this was a real, legal wedding. Of course, to get married you need rings. A group of performers from Recent Cutbacks (who also have a Fringe show) thankfully came to the rescue, with an Oscar-worthy retelling of Lord of the Rings, where they presented the couple with their own rings from Mordor. Once the "I Dos" were exchanged, the audience gave one of the loudest standing ovations I've ever heard at the Fringe. It was beautiful to see a room full of mostly strangers come together, it felt like a scene from a movie. It would be remiss of me not to mention what people were wearing. While there were lots of folk dressed in regular Fringe-going outfits, I did also spot a couple of people donning kilts, as well as a couple of corsages. READ MORE: The 'significant' yet hidden Scottish cave where an important saint once lived As for the groom and groom, they were styled by Cosimo Damiano Angiulli, the designer behind SIMO THE LABEL, a sustainable, gender-fluid fashion brand based in Edinburgh. Their outfits were stunning – a lovely tribute to their individual personalities, while also complementing each other perfectly. Instead of gifts, the couple asked for people to buy tickets to their shows (there's no such thing as a bad time for publicity), and to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians. For a couple so embedded in the fabric of the Fringe, I can't think of a better place to get married. And if anyone was doubting just how committed they are to the festival – they're set to perform their newest show The Fit Prince (Who Gets Switched On The Square In The Frosty Castle The Night Before (Insert Public Holiday Here)) just hours after getting married. To witness this beautiful ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and something I will cherish forever.
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
'We are getting married on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe - please buy a ticket'
When Joseph Martin and Linus Karp met in 2014 while working in retail, they might not have believed that 11 years later they would be getting married. On stage. At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Life is a funny thing – but in this instance, it just makes sense. The duo behind Awkward Productions and their many Fringe hits – including Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story – live and breathe the arts festival. This year they are armed with a brand new play, The Fit Prince, in which they subvert and lovingly poke fun at the heteronormative festive romantic comedy genre. (While the status quo is brilliantly camp, they are making it queer.) But never mind that! The couple are also living their own real-life romantic comedy this year. 'Edinburgh is a pretty special place for us,' Linus explains to Metro. 'We were first just looking at getting married where we live in London, but the cheaper places were saying we could only do it in the office every third Wednesday at like 9am and it's booked up for like 12 years, basically. It was ridiculous.' The pair then thought why not do it in Edinburgh – a city which holds so much meaning for their relationship. Naturally, that thought progressed, like a good improv group, into another, 'Why not?' – which brings us to their current situation. 'In England, you have to be in a registered venue. In Scotland you don't. Provided that the owner of the premises says yes, you can get married wherever you like,' Joseph explains. So now Joseph and Linus are counting down the days until their August 16 wedding, which will take place at Pleasance Courtyard Grand venue… in front of 750 people. They are believed to be the first Fringe performers to get legally married on stage as part of a show. Nervous…? 'Obviously there will be people there that we don't know, but there are also going to be people there who are friends and family,' Linus explains. 'I think it's just going to be really fun and exciting, and also just reflect this ridiculous, queer, joyful, performative side of us and our relationship as well.' For Joseph, putting on The Fit Prince is more daunting than tying the knot in front of hundreds of strangers. 'In the show, it's entirely down to us. Whereas with the wedding, the legal bit is handled by the officiant, so we've just got to be there. It's not like if I mess up something completely, then we're not married,' he says. 'Any bad reviews, we'll just blame it on her,' Linus jokes. Direct family members will not have to pay for tickets, Linus and Joseph assure me. But for everyone else? That'll be £12. The officiant will be someone from Edinburgh City Council, who is indeed fully briefed that they will be part of a Fringe show on top of the nuptials. In their hour slot, from 11.15am until 12.15pm, the duo will cram in everything from a grand entrance to special guests, speeches, vows and performances. They are not asking for presents, and the dress code is optional: both are equally happy for festival-goers to dress up for the moment, or to grab a ticket five minutes before and rock up in shorts and a T-shirt. Children are welcome (and infants don't have to pay). However: the wedding will contain strong language. There will also be audience interaction… More Trending 'Anyone who's seen an Awkward Prod show knows that you never just sit back and watch – and the wedding will be no different,' Joseph teases. Will the happy couple be jetting off somewhere nice on their honeymoon after their big day? 'God no! We can't afford that, we're at the Fringe!' Joseph barks. Joseph and Linus' wedding is taking place at 11.15am on August 16 at Pleasance Grand. Tickets here . The Fit Prince is showing throughout August at Pleasance Courtyard Beyond at 16.40. Tickets here. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Netflix fans rush to binge 'funniest British TV comedy ever made' MORE: Brian Cox, 79, cancels national tour after being 'very busy and tired' MORE: 'A random woman slid into my DMs – turns out she was my mum'
The National
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Five of the best things I've seen at the Edinburgh Fringe so far
The Fringe is incredible for taking you on a journey through the full spectrum of the human experience, from cringe-inducing low to euphoric highs. These five picks can be placed in the latter category. Cat Cohen: Broad Strokes Catherine Cohen is performing at the Fringe (Image: Dev Bowman) Cat Cohen is an absolute whirlwind of a woman. She comes on stage in silhouette, before the lights reveal a fantastically glamorous sequinned get-up and she bursts into song. The diva energy is palpable from the outset. Cohen's hour-long show focuses on her experience of having a stroke in her early 30s – combining themes of self-doubt, millennial self-interest and showbiz ambitions with her health journey. Her ability to coin a phrase is incredible (I can't stop thinking about describing hospital lighting as "giving cellulite), and almost as impressive as her extremely catchy cabaret songs (which I hummed on the train all the way home). This is an incredibly tight hour of comedy and music from a young woman absolutely bursting with talent. The future is incredibly bright for Miss Cohen. Rating: 5/5 Find out more here Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America Kieran Hodgson is probably most recognisable to Scottish audiences from his role as Gordon in Two Doors Down. What you might not know is that Kieran had a minor role as "Sandwich Guy" in DC film The Flash. The team behind the film required that he perform with an American accent – prompting the English-born, Glasgow-based comedian to reckon with his understanding of what it really means to be American in 2025. This is a seriously smart hour of stand-up, which also manages to showcase Hodgson's exceptional impression skills. He is also just a seriously likeable guy. Note: I am slightly cheating here, as I saw a preview of this show in Glasgow rather than at its actual Edinburgh run. Rating: 4/5 Find out more here The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here)) The Fit Prince has maybe the longest title of any Fringe show this year (Image: Awkward Productions) Having already seen Awkward Productions' brilliant Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, this was one of my must-sees going into Fringe 2025. It more than lived up to expectation. The Fit Prince is an extremely funny, extremely silly take on the sorts of cookie-cutter Netflix Christmas films and Hallmark movies that get pumped out of the Content Factory every year and inexplicably make massive amounts of money. With low-budget props and clever use of pre-filmed segments from LGBT+ cult favourites, the talented team behind the show create a lot out of a little. The highlight is the mini-concert from Swedonian favourites BAAB (obviously a play on ABBA), with creators Linus Karp and Joseph Martin donning their sparkly dresses for renditions of everyone's favourite pop hits – including Movement King. As ever, the latest production from this team includes lots of hilarious audience interaction ... so be prepared to take to the stage and become a part of the cast if you head to this one. Rating: 4/5 Find out more here Mark Jennings: Bread and Circuses Marc Jennings is seriously funny. I first came across him years ago online as he was doing a pitch-perfect impression of former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross. I've followed his career ever since. The stand-up comedian and podcaster is an underrated talent who deserves a lot more attention. Maybe this latest show will do the trick. Discussing everything from modern dating to the mess of UK and Scottish politics, Jennings darts easily from one topic to another with the ease of your mate at the pub. This one has some seriously quotable punchlines too. Rating: 4/5 Find out more here Body Count Issy Knowles is the writer and performer behind Body Count (Image: Body Count) Body Count, a new one-woman show from Issy Knowles, explores the horrifying world of competitive sex. Based loosely on the infamous escapades of women like Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips, this show imagines the inner life of those who participate in increasingly extreme sexual activities. With only a smartphone, a bed and a whole lot of condoms, Knowles brings together a thought-provoking, well-structured performance. I would have liked more exploration of how social media led us here, rather than some of the more cliched and one-dimensional depictions of the men in the story, but overall this show is a real talker. Go with your friends, and discuss it over a pint afterwards. Is the line between empowerment and degradation really so thin? Rating: 3.5/5 Find out more here Let us know what your favourite shows have been in the comments.
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Festival Fringe performers to get married live on stage in 'first legal wedding' in 78 years
The pair are believed to be the first performers to have a legal wedding with a ticketed audience at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A pair of Edinburgh Fringe performers are to get married live on stage in the 'first legal wedding' in the festival's 78-year history. Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, stars Of Gwyneth Goes Skiing and The Fit Prince, are to tie the knot on August 16 - hours before they return to the stage to perform their show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Billed as a show on the Pleasance Grand stage, with tickets available through the usual Fringe channels, the event is dubbed 'Awkwardprods get married (but for real)'. The event will include a legal marriage ceremony conducted by a licensed officiant. Guest performers and musical elements are expected – with the final line-up to be confirmed. Linus Karp and Joseph Martin are to get married live on stage at this year's Fringe. | Linus Karp and Joseph Martin The couple, who co-founded Awkward Productions and have been together for ten years, said they believed this would be the first legal wedding with a paying audience in the Fringe's 78-year history, and likely the first LGBTQ+ wedding to be staged as part of the official programme. In a joint statement, Mr Karp and Mr Martin said: 'I do.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their show, The Fit Prince (Who Gets Switched On The Square In The Frosty Castle The Night Before [Insert Public Holiday Here]), is a queer parody of the holiday movie genre. Their previously-run show, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, is meanwhile also returning to this year's Edinburgh Fringe for a short run, in which Linus plays Diana and Joseph voices Charles.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Gwyneth Goes Skiing' and ‘Diana' Team Sets Edinburgh Fringe Return With New Royal Queer Rom-Com Parody ‘The Fit Prince' (EXCLUSIVE)
After back-to-back Edinburgh Fringe hits, Awkward Productions is returning with a new queer romantic comedy parody that aims to subvert the traditional holiday movie genre. 'The Fit Prince (Who Gets Switched on the Square in the Frosty Castle the Night Before (Insert Public Holiday Here))' will premiere at Edinburgh Fringe, running July 30-Aug. 25, before transferring to London's King's Head Theatre for a Dec. 2-Jan. 3, 2026 run. More from Variety 'Fleabag' Star Phoebe Waller-Bridge Launches $120,000 Fund for Edinburgh Fringe Artists - Global Bulletin Unlicensed 'Making a Murderer' Musical to Premiere at Edinburgh Fringe, Netflix Not Involved Edinburgh Festivals Called Off Due to Coronavirus Concerns The show follows the fictional country of Swedonia, where the king has died and the prince must marry or forfeit the crown. Meanwhile in New York, a struggling baker receives a mysterious royal commission to create a wedding cake for the Swedonian prince. Written by and starring Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, the production is described as 'the chaotic queer cousin' to Netflix and Hallmark holiday films. The real-life couple (who are set to marry after the Fringe run) will play romantic leads opposite each other for the first time. Golden Globe-nominated songwriter Leland, known for his work with Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue and 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' has composed original music for the production. The show continues Awkward Productions' signature style of interactive, fourth-wall-breaking theater that has become its trademark. The company's previous hit 'Gwyneth Goes Skiing' sold out its 2024 Edinburgh run and toured the U.S. in 2025, while 'Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story' won the Off-Fest Award for best play at the Fringe. Karp, a Swedish actor and writer who founded Awkward Productions with Martin in 2017, has developed a reputation for high-camp theatrical productions that blend pop culture commentary with queer celebration. Swedonia is described as a 'suspiciously familiar, completely fictional country' inspired by Karp's native Sweden. Audiences can expect what the company calls 'queer joy, wild silliness and camp theatrical brilliance from start to finish.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More
