SUPAS’ The Wedding Singer – 11 December 2025, University Drama Studio
Review by Jacob Bush.
This week, SUPAS bring their second and final show of the semester, The Wedding Singer. Whilst it may not be a particularly festive show, it is a wonderful feel good musical perfect for these dark nights.
The Wedding Singer, based on the film by Tim Herlihy of the same name, follows Robbie Hart (the title character) as he deals with getting dumped at the altar and then falling back in love again. The musical has a funny book packed with 80s references from Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, and catchy and energetic musical numbers, inspired by the sound of the 80s, with music by Matthew Skylar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
Natalia Prucnal is at the helm of this production as the director. She ensures the production constantly moves at an excellent pace and leads her cast in developing very believable on stage relationships (essential for a musical so much about love). Zara Walton’s choreography is wonderful, filling the stage with high energy dance routines – your reviewer isn’t sure they’re seen such a large ensemble for a SUPAS production and this really elevates the production. The band under the direction of Joseph Banerjee and Jack Wheatley sounds incredibly professional, enhanced by the work of sound engineer Jack Meads. The harmonies are also on point and the team have clearly put the hours into making sure they’re all perfect.
Our leading man, Robbie Hart, is James Pead in his SUPAS debut. He is a loveable leading man and we really root to see him find someone he can spend his life with. He does a good job vocally with the challenging rocky score and it is lovely to see him accompany himself on guitar on stage in several musical numbers. Emilia Lodge also makes her SUPAS debut as Julia. Lodge is stunning in this role. Her vocals are a delight to listen to, both in softer moments and when she’s belting up a storm. Lodge and Pead have a lovely chemistry meaning the audience longs to see them end up together by the end of the show.
The supporting cast features plenty of wonderful performances. Ellie Potter is a joy to listen to singing Holly’s material. She leads her musical numbers with confidence and plenty of energy. She also really captures the boomerang-type relationship with Euan Jones’ Sammy and the audience is delighted when they end up back together. Madeleine Hicks is phenomenal as Rosie, Robbie’s grandma. She has strong comic timing, whilst also finding moments for more tenderness. Despite her probably being about the same as Pead, we quickly suspend our disbelief and buy into this grandmother-grandson relationship. Katie Weller blows the roof off as Linda and also gets plenty of laughs with her great comic timing, making the absolute most of her limited stage time. Jude Yellop is perfectly smarmy as Glen Guglia, our antagonist who we all love to hate.
The Wedding Singer is the perfect pre-Christmas treat that is bound to leave you with a smile on your face and humming along the fabulous 80s inspired score.
