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Perfect Blue Productions and Engine House Theatre recently unveiled the full cast for the world premiere of Reception: The Wedding Present Musical — a brand-new production written and directed by Matt Aston, featuring the music and lyrics of David Gedge and his legendary indie bands The Wedding Present and Cinerama.
Premiering later this month in Leeds, 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.
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.
Set to 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 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 screenwork 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 Let-ter 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 Sand-man (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 polit-ical 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.
Matt Aston, writer and director, had this to say: “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, added: “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 - Friday 22 August – Saturday 6 September 2025 Tickets from £16.90
Wedding Guest table packages also available
Booking: Leeds Playhouse
