Reception - The Musical

A musical based on the songs of David Gedge, Cinerama, and The Wedding Present.

Written and directed by Matt Aston.

Creative consultant - David Gedge.

“I’m interested in the minutiae of relationships. I like to write about what actually happens, rather than some imaginary situation cloaked in metaphor, hence the references to the everyday, though I have been known to decorate the songs with science fiction or comic book references!” - David Gedge, Gigslutz 24/8/15.

‘Reception’ is the story of a group of university friends who keep in touch over two decades of trials, tribulations, and receptions. Their stories are based on and around the songs of David Gedge and the title is inspired by the name of The Wedding Present’s original record label.

The idea of a musical based around David’s songs had been brewing for writer and director Matt Aston (‘Touched’ by Stephen Lowe with Vicky McLure, ‘Bomber’s Moon’ by William Ivory with James Bolam, ‘West End / Oleanna’ by David Mamet with Alistair McGowan) for several years.

When Matt met Tony Ereira (Director of record labels Come Play With Me & Clue Records) - inevitably at a Wedding Present gig - in Leeds, in early 2019, the concept was batted around some more and the idea of the play started to take shape.

“I first saw The Wedding Present in Derby in 1988, so you could say this musical is over 30 years in the making. I’ll always be grateful to my older brother and his mates for taking his little 15 year old brother to his first ever gig. I got a t-shirt, a set of badges and a nose bleed. Not to mention a new favourite band. I've always felt there was something very theatrical about David's songs. The storytelling, the arrangements, the anguish. And, as proven with Cinerama’s re-recording of The Wedding Present’s ‘Valentina’ album, they have the flexibility to be arranged in a number of different, epic, and dramatic ways. Although the show will, of course, still have plenty of fast guitars too!”

Matt and Tony put the idea to David along with an early synopsis for the story and, never one to shy away from a new medium to present his work, David was equally excited to explore the idea further.

With this campaign we are looking to raise initial funding to get a first draft of the script written, some artwork and branding in place and to start preparing for a period of Research & Development in early 2021 to road test our ideas - COVID 19 permitting - with a group of actors/musicians and some brand new material from David.

The intention is to be in a position to premier the musical in Leeds in 2022 - and this campaign is a chance for fans to get involved from the beginning with a bunch of rewards that are all exclusive to this production, including specially commissioned artwork from Lee Thacker (illustrator of David’s autobiography, ‘Tales From The Wedding Present’).

If you’re keen to join us at the start of our journey, we’d really value your support!

Tony, Matt & the ‘Reception’ team.