Andy Balloch Gives Us the Insider Invite to THE WEDDDING
Imagine you’ve been invited to a wedding that’s as delightfully unhinged as it is heartfelt—complete with awkward speeches, suspiciously overcooked chicken, and a DJ who just can’t let go of Let’s Get It Started. But in this topsy-turvy gathering, there’s also a sly undercurrent of something bigger: a spotlight on queer and trans issues, pulsing beneath the punchlines and confetti. That’s exactly what THE WEDDING promises—a hilarious, one-person showcase where traditional nuptial tropes meet the urgent realities facing the LGBTQIA+ community.
In this interview, we sit down with the show’s creator and performer to explore just how the joyous chaos of a marriage celebration becomes fertile ground for powerful social commentary. With characters ranging from flamboyant family members to less-than-enthusiastic allies, the production pokes fun at wedding customs we all know and love (or loathe), while also raising eyebrows—and awareness—about shifting political landscapes. Expect flamboyant costumes and cheap sauv blanc, but also sobering reflections on how misinformation and bigotry worm their way into what should be a unifying day.
As the multi-talented artist behind these eccentric guests explains, comedy can sugar-coat a serious message. So grab a seat, brace yourself for confetti cannons, and get ready to meet the motley crew that brings THE WEDDING to full, celebratory life.
You’ve described THE WEDDING as a queer, absurd character sketch show. Can you talk us through one of the more outrageous characters or moments we’ll experience, and how it contributes to the show’s deeper themes?
The great thing about weddings is how utterly absurd they ALL are! A big expensive party for a piece of paper? DON’T MIND IF I DO! Everyone needs to be wearing slightly uncomfortable clothes? SOUNDS GOOD TO ME! Dry chicken or wet beef for the main? LOCK IT IN! Almost EVERYONE knows what weddings are like, and having that universal understanding is where the fun REALLY is. Awkward best man speeches? Bad bridesmaids? Creepy uncles? They’re all here!!
The show uses the chaos of a wedding reception to highlight issues faced by trans and queer communities—why did you decide on a wedding setting to explore such heavy topics?
I actually came up with the concept of “I perform every character at a wedding” first. Then, because of the types of shows I tend to make, I began to realise in the very very early stages of writing, that this show was going to be more than farce, and I couldn’t do a show called “The Wedding” as a gay man, and NOT bring up the fact that we’ve only had marriage equality for 7 and a bit years, and that now we DO have it, it really feels as though the bigotry has been focussed on trans people, while cis gays like myself have become more accepted.
Many people believe weddings are about tradition and societal norms, yet THE WEDDING appears to turn these ideas upside down. How do you strike a balance between tradition and the unconventional while keeping the humour front and centre?
I think there’s this common misconception that “gay weddings” are going to be these hugely untraditional parties, where there’s poppers for entree, flower arrangements in the shape of penises, and every toilet cubicle is occupied… and while that might be true for some, I think the majority of LGBTQIA+ weddings look exactly like the weddings straight people have. That, for me, is where the fun is: making light of the things that we all have in common, like awkward wedding photos, a smoked salmon entree, or a wedding DJ playlist that always, not matter what, features “Let’s get it started” by The Black Eyed Peas
With the CDC removing references to trans and LGBTQIA+ people, and legislation around puberty blockers changing, how do you weave current political discourse into the show without it becoming purely polemical?
It became really clear, pretty early on in the writing stage, that a real enemy here is misinformation, and people who knowingly weaponise it. Hopefully, through comedy and chaos, this show not only uplifts, but also informs through modelling, world building, and storytelling.
You mention an ‘affordable sauv blanc’ as part of the wedding day madness—does the choice of drinks or other wedding staples in your show symbolise anything deeper about acceptance, community, or consumerism?
There are definitely costume choices that speak to one of the underlying themes of unity, but more than anything the specificity in the show is used to either colour the different characters I’m portraying, or highlight their trope-like aspects, which speak, again, to that theme of unity.
Comedy can disarm tension and invite reflection—how do you hope audiences will process the more serious messages in The Wedding once the laughter subsides?
I really hope the audience gain a greater understanding of the severity of the political times we live in for members of our community – what they do with that is up to them.
In your experience, have you found that comedy audiences are more receptive to political or social commentary when it’s delivered through absurd humour, rather than straightforward seriousness?
ABSOLUTELY. I FROTH a drama, don’t get me wrong. But there’s something so magical about using comedy as the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down. People want to be entertained, but I’ve found, more and more, they ALSO want to learn, to grow, to feel. Comedy is an art form, and art is subjective, but for me, the type of shows I love give me more than just jokes – then I feel fed.
You portray multiple characters yourself—what challenges do you face in jumping between these roles, and how do you maintain each character’s authenticity within the frenetic pace of a wedding reception?
PRACTICE. I come from a theatre background, and have spent more than a decade studying, teaching, and performing improv, which has given me incredibly valuable tools when it comes to character creation, both written and performed, and jumping between them rapidly.
Weddings often bring families together under one roof—how do you address family dynamics in the show, particularly for queer folks who may or may not receive support from their loved ones?
That’s 1000% something I wanted to explore in this show – both the incredibly supportive family members, and the ones that are less so. Queer community and chosen family is something that’s incredibly important, and I wanted to find a way to showcase how incredibly loving and kind and supportive it is, to people who maybe either don’t get to experience it, or haven’t experienced it yet. And what better way to do that, than a wedding!
If audiences could leave with just one thought, one changed perspective, or one spark of empathy from THE WEDDING, what would you hope that would be, and why is it so important to you right now?
I would hope that trans people walk away feeling a bit more seen, that queer people walk away with a bit more hope, and that cis straight people walk away with perhaps a better understanding of the degree of danger the current political climate is for some people. And if I can move that needle even slightly, and make ‘em laugh at the same time, then I’ll feel like I’ve helped make the world a little bit better.
Premiering at MICF
Dates: April 8th-20th
Tickets: CLICK HERE
