Until The Next Wedding – Paradise in Augustines

Until The Next Wedding was brought to us by Under the Rug Theatre. This “not so rom com” was written by Allie Willison, directed by Niamh Mcgarvey and executive produced by Bethan Murray. This new and exciting play was first previewed in Glasgow before landing at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Until The Next Wedding is a two man show featuring characters Mandy and Eliot. Mandy is performed by actor and playwright Allie Willison. The second character, Eliot, is played by actor James Crutcher.

As Willison enters the stage and begins to interact with the furniture and props, and tragically fails at smoking a cigar, it becomes clear that this is some sort of in-house library near the wedding. The whole play takes place in that library creating a link between each wedding the two characters attend.

In the beginning Willison’s portrayal of Mandy is energetic and witty delivering quick fire comebacks. However, the character also has this chaotic and nervous energy to her, which in turn contrasts Crutcher’s character Eliot. Crutcher portrays Eliot as a calm and collected guy, he speaks slowly and with purpose making the character appear put together.

These opposing personalities create an explosive and captivating dynamic on stage. On top of that the characters’ clear familiarity adds more layers to their relationship and shows that the constant push and pull is not mere attraction. Mandy’s love seems to be one-sided but a set of pearls in Eliot’s possession suggests otherwise. However, the more information we are served the harder it is to decide whether to root for or against this couple. The actors played off of each other, making the play both funny and dynamic. The play is loaded with subtext, which is shown through repetitions of phrases, most notably the phrase “the whole truth or the half-truth…on the rocks” which is said at the first wedding and repeated at the second.

The second wedding displays a switch in the characters’ attitudes. Willison portrays Mandy with resolve and shows the raw emotions that hid behind her sharp tongue and Crutcher shows that there are cracks in Eliot’s collected exterior. Eliot is desperate to obtain something that seems out of his reach. Till the very end the play kept the audience guessing, laughing and feeling alongside the characters. This play is worth a watch. Running from 8^th to 10^th  of August, link to tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/until-the-next-wedding

Reviewer: Marcelina Kruczynska

Reviewed: 8^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: