History was made yesterday at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival when theatre-makers Linus Karp and Joseph Martin (Awkward Productions) legally tied the knot in front of a sold-out audience at The Pleasance Grand (750 seat venue).
On Saturday 16 August, the couple – best known for cult hits Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story (and currently starring in a new production, more on that below) – became the first pair to marry on stage with a ticketed audience in the Fringe’s 78-year history, and the first LGBTQ+ couple to wed as part of the official programme.
The ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. Styled by Edinburgh designer Cosimo Damiano Angiulli (SIMO THE LABEL), the couple kicked off the show with themed entrances; Joseph channelled brat with Von Dutch by Charli XCX, while Linus was carried onto the stage by three helpers to the tune of “Jellicle Cats.” Conducted by Edinburgh City Council’s Jackie Blackburn, the ceremony blended camp chaos with heartfelt sincerity – from Sooz Kempner serenading the couple with 2 Become 1, to a best man’s dramatic reading of Party in the USA. Rings were delivered via a spoof Lord of the Rings routine by fellow Fringe troupe Recent Cutbacks, before the crowd erupted for a momentous standing ovation as Jackie pronounced the couple “husband and husband”, a glorious reminder as to why everyone had gathered in The Grand.
After the “I do’s”, the newlyweds invited everyone to join them for celebratory drinks before later that afternoon performing their latest Fringe hit The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here)) – a camp and chaotic fairytale romcom set in the fictional kingdom of Swedonia that has been drawing rave reviews: “Another camp masterpiece” (Broadway Baby ★★★★), “Their best show yet” (The Recs ★★★★★), “Outrageously funny, unapologetically queer, and utterly unforgettable” (Theatre Weekly ★★★★), and “Extremely funny, extremely silly” (The National ★★★★)