Words: Elodie Marriott 
Image: Anna Clare

In a Fringe first, Linus Karp and Joseph Martin of Awkward Productions married on stage in front of a ticketed audience in the Grand at Pleasance Courtyard. 

On Saturday 16 August, the duo made history by becoming the first in the festival’s 78-year run to tie the knot as part of the official programme. Officiated by Edinburgh City Council’s quippy Jackie Blackburn, who claimed she got “paid extra for the gags,” the wedding began with Martin strutting out of the wings to Charli XCX’s Von Dutch, while Karp was carried in on the shoulders of “three twinks” to Jellicle Cats. 

As expected of an Awkward Prods (Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, Gwyneth Goes Skiing) event, there were a number of special guests and performers to celebrate their union. A solemn reading of Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA and a rendition of Spice Girls’ 2 Become 1, with audience members happily singing “wanna make love to ya baby”, were big hits with both the couple and their ‘guests’. 

There were some in attendance that did actually conform to a more traditional guest list: The Parents (I’m assuming they didn’t have to buy tickets). Their speeches- likely written for them given the content; jokingly berated Martin for failing to learn any Swedish and praised Karp for his hotness. 

Random words generated by the audience made up the Best Man’s speech, and a short skit from Fly, You Fools presented the “two more queer rings” formed in the fires of Mordor. But far from a marital gag, the ceremony was deeply touching, personalised, and unique. Karp, as serious as we’re ever likely to see him, told Martin: “I never feel more loved than when I’m with you… thank you for always enabling my dreams.” 

We wish the pair a Mr. Mistoffelees level of magic. May there only ever be two in their marriage, for they’ve met their Fit Prince, and are destined for a goopy lifetime of happiness. Congratulations! 

Awkward Productions Get Married (but for real)
Grand at Pleasance Courtyard 
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