There’s no point pretending this was going to be a quiet evening at the theatre—it never is with Awkward Productions. Their opening night performance of The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here) at Hope Mill Theatre delivered exactly what audiences have come to expect: chaos, camp, and comedy at breakneck speed.
This touring production—previously seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe—is only in residence for one week, finishing on Sunday, and it already feels like a fleeting theatrical event you’ll regret missing. Expectations were high, not least because of last year’s wildly entertaining Gwyneth Goes Skiing (yes, that one—loosely inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow and a certain infamous moment on the slopes). Thankfully, this show more than lives up to the hype.
Written by and starring Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, with original music by Leland, the story loosely follows an uncrowned heir to the throne of Swedonia (not Sweden—don’t get confused), who must find himself a groom before the looming May bank holiday coronation deadline.
It’s part fairy tale, part horror, a full-throttle romp—utterly ridiculous in the best possible way, like some kind of bizarre queer fairy tale.
Awkward Productions have carved out a niche for fast-paced, irreverent physical theatre, gleefully skewering pop culture under a thin veil of camp absurdity—and this show is no exception. Video interludes introduce a host of recognisable figures, including a standout cameo parody of Michelle Obama (“you’ve got to go down and get low” quickly became an audience favourite).
The orphanage owner was a wonderfully odd creation—somewhere between Nanny McPhee and the Wicked Witch from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—though with a surprisingly warm heart beneath the chaos.
Audience participation, a hallmark of Awkward Productions, was in full swing. From pre-show assignments of roles and costumes to spontaneous stage involvement, the crowd threw themselves into the madness. Special mention must go to the “doppelganger,” whose performance was nothing short of hilarious.
Musical highlights included Swedonia’s finest export, BAAB (you can probably rearrange that…), delivering the unforgettable number 'Dunkirk!'—a moment of pure parody brilliance.
But it was the “Movement King” that truly stole the show, with razor-sharp physical comedy and a stream of dry, acidic one-liners shared between the two leads. The movement king number, complete with parody choreography and knowingly exaggerated mime, was pure pastiche—blatantly a send-up, but also an affectionate homage to something so beloved it clearly lives in everyone’s collective memory. Iconic, in every sense of the word.
An unexpected hiccup on opening night saw the assistant stage manager—who plays multiple roles, including a fleetingly chaotic Vanessa Hudgens—dramatically destroy her mic pack mid-scene while wielding a prop gun. Impressively, the performers didn’t miss a beat, folding the mishap seamlessly into the performance.
The Prince himself—blonde, charming, and clad in a gloriously fairytale-esque tunic—delivered some of the evening’s best moments (“Are you the Prince?” “Yes—look at what I’m wearing”). The sauna scene, in particular, was a standout poking fun at 1970's erotica.
Aaron Butcher's character of the lovelorn baker brought strong Bridesmaids-style energy, ably supported by his persistent puppet patisserie companion. Sharp-eyed fans may even spot a returning reindeer from Gwyneth Goes Skiing—a delightful Easter egg.
If there’s a minor critique, the pace dipped slightly during the wedding scene—but it’s a small quibble on opening night and easily forgiven.
Ultimately, this is exactly what you want from Awkward Productions: rowdy, raucous, unapologetically camp, and packed with absurd humour. It’s not for everyone—but for those willing to embrace the madness, it’s an eclectic and thoroughly entertaining night at the theatre.
Get a ticket if you can - https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/the-fit-prince/
Reviewer - Kathryn Gorton
On - 21st April 2026
