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The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here))

 
Isabella Thompson Review by Isabella Thompson 4 Published: 2 Aug 2025 Pleasance Courtyard Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-25 Aug 2025

Awkward Prods (Linus Karp and Joseph Martin) are back with another camp masterpiece filled with parody, pastiche and whimsy. Following their smash hits – Diana: The Untold Untrue Story and Gwyneth Goes Skiing – their latest royal romp is every bit as chaotic, self-aware and deliciously silly as audiences have come to expect.

A gloriously unhinged send-up of Hallmark-style romcoms, full of theatrical flair and tongue-in-cheek charm

The King of Swedonia is dead, and the Prince must find a husband within two weeks or forfeit the crown. Enter Aaron Butcher, a humble NYC baker tasked with creating the royal wedding cake, who is unwittingly swept into a whirlwind of romance, royal duty and absurdity. What follows is a gloriously unhinged send-up of Hallmark-style romcoms, full of unexpected twists, theatrical flair and tongue-in-cheek charm.

With their well-earned reputation for blending irreverence and ingenuity, Awkward Prods deliver all the signature ingredients fans adore. A standout feature – now a beloved tradition – is the inclusion of audience members who are assigned character names before the show and prompted throughout to deliver lines on stage. This continually injects the performance with a sense of play and excitement that invites the audience to immerse themselves in the mad world the duo create.

This production in particular feels elevated, with original music by Leland (of RuPaul fame), intricate puppetry, clever use of multimedia (including live video feed), and a stagehand who doubles as the Prince’s henchman. It is peppered with celebrity appearances on screen, including Tove Lo as the Prime Minister of Swedonia and Heartstopper’s Sebastian Croft. While the celebrity cameos offer delightful surprises and a sense of star-studded fun, their frequency occasionally distracts from the central narrative – especially as the performances don’t always match Karp and Martin’s infectious energy. Still, the novelty and humour they bring will likely win over audiences looking for a theatrical treat packed with pop culture.

Overall, The Fit Prince is a wonderfully absurd hour that shows off Awkward Prods’ intelligent and witty storytelling. Inventive and always playful, the production’s heart and theatrical mischief, paired with truly toe-tapping original music, makes this a show that knows exactly what it’s doing – and does it with unapologetic flair.

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The Blurb:

The King is dead and the Prince is unmarried – if he doesn't find someone soon, he must forfeit the crown! In NYC, baker Aaron Butcher is butchering his career as a family baker. Maybe a commission in the non-location-specific country of Swedonia will fix his problems... Following sell-outs Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, AwkwardProds Flicks through the Net of traditional holiday movies bringing all their Hallmarks together – queer, chaotic, comedic and heartfelt.