Set in 1980s Leeds, Reception is a bold and emotionally charged new musical from Perfect Blue Productions and Engine House Theatre, written and directed by Matt Aston, featuring the songs of David Gedge and his iconic indie bands The Wedding Present and Cinerama.
The show marks the 40th anniversary of The Wedding Present and their debut single Go Out and Get ‘Em Boy. Formed at Leeds University in 1985, the band went on to chart 18 UK Top 40 singles and earn a devoted cult following, celebrated for their raw, emotionally honest songs about love, loss and longing. Inspired by their 40 year career, including indie classics My Favourite Dress, Kennedy, Brassneck, the band’s debut single Go Out and Get‘ Em Boy and more, presented in stunning new arrangements.
Set in 1980s Leeds, Reception: The Wedding Present Musical follows a group of university friends whose
lives remain entangled over five turbulent years. Through weddings, funerals, graduations — and, of course, the receptions that follow — the show explores how we grow together and apart, all scored to Gedge’s searingly personal, sharply observed songwriting. Like the band that inspired it, the musical thrums with real emotion, biting wit and restless energy.
The show will debut at The Warehouse in Holbeck — home to the pioneering Slung Low — Reception features a dynamic ensemble of actor-musicians, weaving a story of love, regret and reconnection through the unmistakable melodic force of Gedge’s music.
The cast presents a company of emerging and established performers including Zoe Allan, Lawrence Hodgson‑Mullings (Fool Me Once, Catherine Called Birdy), Richard Lounds (The Gruffalo’s Child), and Matthew Bugg (Miss Nightingale, The Lord of the Rings).
The Cast and Their Leeds Connections
Zoe Allan as Rachel
Rachel is a confident yet vulnerable graduate of Leeds University who, having experienced loss and pain
early in life, has carefully planned a future of love and security. Or so she thought.
Zoe is a passionate working-class performer from the North East. Her recent credits include Pippin, directed by Barbara Houseman, and When We Strike, an original musical developed by BYMT. She recently graduated from Leeds Conservatoire’s Musical Theatre programme and is excited to be back in Leeds for this production.
Lawrence Hodgson‐Mullings as Harry
Harry is Rachel’s first love. Leeds born and bred, he’s never left Yorkshire and dreams of adventure before
settling down.
Lawrence can next be seen in Sally Wainwright’s Riot Women for Drama Republic and the BBC. His scree work includes Fool Me Once (Netflix), Catherine Called Birdy (Working Title), and stage roles in The Enorm- ous Crocodile (Leeds Playhouse/Regent’s Park), Dick Whittington (National Theatre), and The Panopticon (National Theatre of Scotland). He trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was a Spotlight Prize finalist. A talented violinist and baritone singer.
Richard Lounds as John
John is Harry’s best friend. A couple of years older than the rest, he’s a source of steady support and advice.
Richard is a performer, musician and dramaturg who trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and
Drama. His credits include LIFELINE Off-Broadway, The Storm Whale, The Secret Garden, The Mould that
Changed the World, and Mr Men and Little Miss On Stage. As a vocalist, he has toured internationally and
was a Choral Scholar at Merton College, Oxford.
Amara Latchford as Sally
Sally is Rachel’s best friend and John’s on/off girlfriend. She’s loved university life but is ready for what’s
next.
Amara is a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire’s Actor Musician programme. Their credits include: The Boy
Who Cried Wolf, Tutti Frutti, 2024; The Polar Express (London Euston 20th Anniversary), 2024; The Storm
and The Minotaur, Slung Low, 2025; All My Pretty Ones, Birmingham Rep, 2025.
Matthew Bugg as Dad
Dad to Rachel and Joe, he’s moved to Leeds to be close to them after a shared family tragedy.
Matthew is the creator of the hit musical Miss Nightingale and has worked as an actor, choreographer or
composer on seven other West End shows including Zorro, The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, Dear Lupin, Our Man In Havana and Cirque Berserk. He teaches at Leeds Conservatoire and has extensive experience as a composer, lyricist and musical director.
Rebecca Levy as Estrella
Estrella is a mature, perpetual student — she’s done course after course. She thinks she’s better than
everyone else… and probably is. But she means well
Rebecca graduated from Mountview in 2016. Her credits include Rapunzel, Cinderella, Vernons Girls, A Letter To Harvey Milk and Mamma Mia! The Party. She released her debut album How to Keep Your Girlfriend 101 in 2019 to critical acclaim. She is also an emerging composer, with credits including Animal Farm for NYMT.
Hannah Nuttall as Jane
Jane is the quiet one of the group… most of the time. A Doris Day obsessive and happily single, she’s not
quite sure where life will take her next.
Hannah trained at Italia Conti Academy. Credits include Yeast Nation (Southwark Playhouse), Dick Whittington, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella (Theatre Royal Wakefield), Soho Songs (Crazy Coqs), and In The Time of Dragons. She is also a composer, including for The Girl Who Saved the Sea with Beansprout Theatre Company.
Zach Burns as Joe
Joe is Rachel’s younger brother — a fact her friends never let him forget. Mature beyond his years, he’s
finding his place in the world.
Zach trained at the Royal Academy of Music. His credits include Yesterday (Workshop), Sleeping Beauty(Radlett Centre), and Potty the Plant (Edinburgh Fringe). He has recording credits as a vocalist on The Sandman (Netflix) and Idols (Yungblud).
Caitlin Lavagna as Emma
Emma is the rector of Leeds Minster — an upstanding and respected member of the local community.
Caitlin is a graduate of Rose Bruford College. Recent credits include Housemates (Sherman Theatre), Operation Julie(Theatr na nÓg), Vernons Girls (Royal Court Liverpool), and Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical. A singer-songwriter, her single October won Best Actress and Best Music Video at the Celynen Film Festival. She was recently named Best Female Act at the 2025 Radio Wigwam Awards.
Jack Hardy as Keir / Keith / Kevin
The local barman at the pub that hosts all the receptions — though no one ever gets his name right. A political activist with big ambitions, he’s searching for his voice.
Jack is a Leeds-born actor and musician. A graduate of Leeds Conservatoire’s Actor Musician programme, he plays multiple instruments and is a prolific songwriter.
Quotes from Matt Aston and David Gedge:
Matt Aston, writer and director: “I first imagined this musical nearly 20 years ago after seeing David perform with the BBC Big Band. His lyrics are cinematic, emotional, and rich with story — they felt naturally theatrical. Now, with this phenomenal cast of multi-talented actor-musicians, we’ve found the perfect group to bring that vision to life with heart, humour and edge. I couldn’t be more excited.”
David Gedge, frontman of The Wedding Present and Cinerama: “When Matt approached me with the idea of a Wedding Present musical, I was intrigued… I’d never imagined my songs being used in a musical, but I loved how Mamma Mia reimagined ABBA, and I’ve always been up for trying new things. I’m excited to see how the show brings the songs to life in a new way.”
Performance Details and Tickets:
Venue: The Warehouse in Holbeck (Slung Low), Leeds
Dates: Friday 22 August – Saturday 6 September 2025
Press Night: Tuesday 26 August, 7.30pm
Tickets from £16.90
Wedding Guest table packages also available
Booking: Leeds Playhouse
A story of love gone wrong, love gone right and then love gone wrong again…
It’s the summer of 1985 and a group of Leeds friends are celebrating the end of their university days. But life doesn’t always work out as planned, as events unfold over a graduation ceremony, a funeral, a wedding and, of course, the reception…
You should always keep in touch with your friends… or should you?
This brand new musical will take you back to the sticky dance floors and crimped hair of 1980s Leeds.
The company is raising additional funds to support the development of a local community cast. You can find out more about their crowd funder here:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-community-cast-of-new-musical-reception
