Wedding Fayre

Wedding Fayre runs at Derby Theatre from Friday 5 to Saturday 13 February 2027, with matinees at 2.30pm and evening shows at 7.30pm. It's a co-production between the theatre and Graeae, the UK's leading disabled-led theatre company, and it's part of a 2027 UK tour that also stops at Leeds Playhouse, Queen's Theatre Hornchurch, Warwick Arts Centre, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Watford Palace Theatre and Perth Theatre.

It's a rebellious, darkly humoured folk-punk musical set in a near future where the authorities force any adult who doesn't conform to the new 'normal' English standards to marry someone who does. Part political satire and part celebration of resistance, it follows Tom and Ned as they run out of time at the Wedding Fayre. Paul Sirett wrote the book and lyrics, Max Runham provided the original score, and Jenny Sealey directed. The cast is made up of professional Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent performers.

Graeae is often described as 'the national theatre of disability' and has been led by artistic director Jenny Sealey OBE since 1997, who also co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony. Every performance creatively integrates British Sign Language, captions and audio description, and the show is staged as a relaxed performance with age guidance of 12+.

Tickets are £20, with Friends getting £5 off. There's a press night on Tuesday 9 February with pay-what-you-can over £5. The show plays in the Main House at Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF.