Linus Karp and Joseph Martin made history last Saturday (August 16) when they legally tied the knot on stage in front of a full house who had paid to see the ceremony.
The pair who are best known for their cult hits Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, are also the first LGBT couple to wed as part of the official Edinburgh Fringe Festival programme.
The audience gave the couple a standing ovation when they were declared ‘husband and husband’. (Image: Anna Clare) They made their vows before an audience of 750 at The Pleasance Grand where their latest show is playing.
The ceremony was styled by Edinburgh designer Cosimo Damiano Angiulli and the couple made themed entrances with Joseph channelling Charli XCX while Linus was carried on stage by three helpers to the tune of Jellicle Cats.
Edinburgh City Council’s Jackie Blackburn officiated at a ceremony that included a heartfelt rendition of 2 Become 1 and rings delivered with a spoof Lord of the Rings routine by fellow Fringe troupe Recent Cutbacks.
The audience gave them a standing ovation as Jackie pronounced them “husband and husband”.
After the “I do’s”, the newlyweds invited everyone to join them for celebratory drinks before later that afternoon performing their latest Fringe show, the camp fairytale romcom The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here)).
Linus said “This day was so fergalicious. Being in a room so full of love alongside the love of my life is a moment that will live with me forever. We cannot wait for our incredible officiant Jackie Blackburn’s debut comedy hour at next year’s Fringe – she was an instant icon.”
Joseph said “The nerves kicked in when we went to get dressed with our incredible designer Cosimo Damiano – then it felt real!
“But once we were in our outfits and backstage, it felt like the most natural thing for us to be doing. Walking down the aisle to Charli XCX’s ‘Von Dutch’ with bodyguards and spark machines wasn’t necessarily how I saw my wedding going, but I don’t think it gets any more iconic.
“I couldn’t be happier to be Mr Ljunggren.”
The couple’s theatre company Awkward Productions staged their fringe hit Gwyneth Goes Skiing at The Pleasance in Islington last Christmas and live in the Ham& High area.