Bold, hilarious and discomfiting in equal measure, Sad Bride is a darkly-comic solo show about the pressures to conform, and the myth that happy endings will present themselves if you do.
Written and performed by Charlotte Merriam, the character of Bride Thompson is both wholly recognisable and supremely unsettling. Seemingly inspired by the popularity of true crime series, the piece blends character comedy with multimedia and mockumentary, shaping the narrative through Bride’s experiences and the reminiscences of those who know her best.
Merriam excels as a range of characters, each with their own clear persona and a element of costume that makes them instantly recognisable. This conceit is well used, as at times Merriam is quickly changing from one to the other to great comedic effect while maintaining the character’s integrity. But it is the eponymous Bride who is her real tour de force, gloriously repulsive in a way that Dahl would be proud of, yet able to display real vulnerability and illicit empathy from her audience. Her physical comedy is superb, causing the audience to howl with laughter without saying a word.
Examining the wedding industrial complex though a queer lens, with all the heteronormative and gendered signifiers it perpetuates, makes for an incisive story that underpins the moments of out and out comedy. Despite getting everything she has seemingly ever wanted, Bride cannot find the happiness that the bridal fantasy has sold her.
As Bride finds reality crashing into her fantasies, she has to create new coping mechanisms. Having always had an unpleasant streak, this comes out in online avatars and trolling wedding-adjacent accounts online. There are some slightly odd detours – hard to manoeuvre props and reflected aunts she cannot remember – but they do not take away from the overarching themes or strong performance.
Sad Bride is an enjoyable hour with plenty to amuse, engage and challenge the audience. Observations about “non-traditional relationships” and trying to fit in when you feel so different are pertinent and delivered with real sincerity, while the comedic moments will make you laugh out loud.
By Deborah Klayman
Sad Bride plays at Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh until August 31st 2026.
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