The Wedding Speech by Cheryl May Coward-Walker - ★★★★☆

Imagine, you’re at a wedding expecting to be a bridesmaid and you're not, so you settle for giving a speech, a speech that you had to beg to give, nevertheless you are happy and willing. As you prepare and work to get yourself together in the pamper room you begin to think about everything, everything that has happened till this very day. When informed that it is indeed her mothers wedding, gasps fill the room as the audience quickly catches on to the fractured relationship between both parties displaying itself in Rose’s role and her anxiety as she pieces her words together to write a heartfelt message.

The Wedding Speech feels like a love letter from a daughter to her mother. With a rhythmic flow, the delivery of the themes hit home but also create a space for the audience to laugh and resonate with Rose’s words. Exploring difficulties such as emotional abuse, generational trauma, mental health and self-hate; we go on a journey with Rose to understand how she navigated each conflict with her mother and how she lost a part of herself each time. 

Princess Donnough who plays Rose’s character was excellent throughout with an impressive ability to encapsulate the audience in this one man show with her voice and charisma.

The stage design was very fitting for the performance and gave Donnough space to move and express crucial dialogue as the play unfolded. Additionally, the versatility of Donnoughs skill was displayed in her ability to efficiently play 3 different characters with enthusiasm and vigour. 

It was refreshing to see how light and sound were used to emphasise the poetic dialogue, highlighting the more sombre moments when Rose expresses the difficulty in being a daughter to her mother. Towards the end, the play intensified which seemed a little delayed, with an unexpected buildup and although it was exciting to watch; it was not the most natural close to the play.

Nevertheless, this play does a good job in exploring difficult mother-daughter relationships. It was funny, charismatic and also very real and raw; highlighting the efforts of both Cheryl May Coward-Walker (writer) and Simone Watson-Brown (director).

Review by Eniola.