It’s a Thursday evening in Brighton, and you’re invited to the wedding of the year. The bride is carrying a can of Guinness, and is wearing make-up straight out of a noughties emo band. You’re quietly reassured that this is definitely the big love story of 2026. Except…where on earth is the groom?
Cameron Sinclair Harris takes us through the bride’s story sans the hapless groom. This bitter-titted bride-to-be has eyes solely for her beloved, even though he appears to be a bit of a bum note. But never mind, he’ll surely arrive soon, and who needs a man to enjoy life’s biggest celebration? The audience are raided for members of the wedding party, and they’re primed to contribute to the happiest day of this nameless bride. There’s presents, a rock-hard cake and a slightly judgy appearance by a puppet. We’re also treated to regular knowing nods to the audacity of being an unmarried woman. What currently loveless lady doesn’t face the risk of a fast-track to the glue factory?
This reviewer would have loved to have seen more emotional escalation. There’s a sense that we’re seeing a version of Sinclair Harris in this character, who is presumably very familiar with the bride’s trials and tribulations already after many slots and rehearsals. Channelling the possible reaction of a real bride, experiencing this desertion as new news, could help the audience invest in this character’s emotional journey. This feels like a very serious sentence to write about a clown show, but there’s truth in it.
With this being a work-in-progress show, much will change and evolve through various iterations. There’s several really enjoyable shticks here. The character makes countless hopeful strides down the aisle, each with Diana-esque poise and deranged clown energy. The lemons are ludicrously enjoyable, which is definitely a rare thing to say about these sour-pipped spheres. The ending is an unexpected energy shift but incredibly poignant, one of the best moments in the show.
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace is an interesting concept that will evolve the closer it gets to the big day. Meet you at the altar?
Reviewed on 21 May 2026.
