Written by Liam A for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

Gecko’s The Wedding is back, and it remains one of the company’s most gripping and accessible pieces of physical theatre. First made almost a decade ago, this leaner revival at Sadler’s Wells East feels well-tuned to the present moment, offering a clear, engaging look at the unspoken contracts that shape our lives.

The central idea is simple and effective: marriage is a stand-in for the agreements we make with society – our jobs, our governments, our expectations of adulthood. The performers, often dressed in wedding whites, are celebrated, inducted and applauded, before gradually finding themselves boxed in by rules they never quite agreed to.

Gecko tell their stories primarily through movement rather than text, and they do it extremely well. The international cast speak in multiple languages – none of which dominate – but meaning is always clear. Emotion is carried through sharp, detailed physical performances: bodies under pressure, moments of stillness, sudden bursts of humour and violence.

The show unfolds in a series of short scenes that move briskly from playful to unsettling. A performer emerges from a suitcase like a street entertainer, all elastic charm, before his story takes a darker turn. Elsewhere, office workers squeeze themselves into a tiny cubicle, the comedy quickly giving way to something more uncomfortable. One character’s dry declaration – “I want a divorce” – cuts neatly to the heart of the show’s argument.

The music, by long-time collaborator Dave Price with sound design by Jon Everett, is a major strength. Drawing on folk traditions, brass, percussion and electronic sound, it gives the piece a strong sense of momentum and ties the scenes together without overwhelming them.

This new version of The Wedding is notably stripped back. There is less set, less spectacle, and more focus on the performers themselves. It works in the production’s favour, giving the piece a directness that keeps the audience engaged throughout its tight, interval-free 80 minutes.

The ending, built around rhythmic clapping, stamping and collective movement, is uplifting without being sentimental. After the tension and darkness of earlier scenes, it offers a simple, effective sense of connection and shared energy.

The Wedding may not follow a traditional storyline, but it doesn’t need to. It is clear, well-crafted and highly watchable, with plenty to enjoy even if you are new to Gecko’s work. Thoughtful without being heavy, and physical without being obscure, this is contemporary theatre done with confidence and skill.

Gecko - The Wedding is playing at Sadler's Wells East until 24th January

★★★★

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