REVIEW: Mixed Sex at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre, 19 – 21 March 2025

“Although not entirely successful, a lot of love has gone into Mixed Sex.” ★★

In a kaleidoscopic blast of nostalgia, Mixed Sex tells the semi-autobiographical story of creator Samuel Normington's childhood in the '90s. Set in a middle class, passingly Christian household, Sam (Normington) is entering into the hinterland between primary and secondary schools, while dancing to Eternal and collecting Care Bears. He's innocently accepting of his burgeoning sexuality, even though it doesn't seem to conform to everyone else's around him, and there's the familiar pressure and expectation to like football and girls.

His parents want him to attend an all-boys school. But to the horror of this Thatcherite family, who’re struggling to adjust to Blair's brave new world, Sam wants to go to the comprehensive. The comp is out of the question, so to help him prepare for the boys’ school, they embark on a mission to man him up with sport, James Bond, and Pamela Anderson. It's a good, grounded concept with a smart context. And it’s nice to see Sam trying to understand the restrictive world around him more than he's trying to understand his own sexuality, which is a refreshing perspective.

Sam's story is given colour then by a range of caricatures from schoolkids to the local vicar, with the supporting cast of three (Lana-Peta Dean, Calvin Dean, Lanre Danmola) playing multiple roles, though not always entirely effectively. While it doesn’t particularly lose its focus, it does sometimes lose its footing between the shores of sketch and sitcom here.

On my night there were understandably lots of enthusiastic supporters in, but the reaction from those who weren't was much more muted. Actually some of the better laughs of the night came from Normington's skillful reaction to blunders. When he needed to turn on the TV but the prop remote was missing: "I can't find the remote. I'll just use the hairbrush instead." So seamless and consistent with his character were these moments that you can clearly see he has talent and takes the piece seriously. The rest of the production though, despite a couple of clever lines, wacky skits, and neat delivery, sits mostly on the cusp of being hilarious without ever truly getting there. 

Normington's performance should be commended though. He does fully embody his creation, which, I guess, makes sense because, well, it is literally him. But, while his characterisation may be pitched a bit young, the innocent inflections and intonations are crafted well and make for an endearing and charismatic presence, without ever tipping into being annoying. In all honesty, this shouldn't be underestimated when grown adults are playing kids, so hats off. He does really well. 

The rest of the ensemble have a good feel for comedy, though I think it could probably be tightened up. With the actors playing multiple roles, there were times when I wasn't sure who I was watching. Even though consideration has been given to some simple defining characteristics of each (an untucked shirt for a schoolboy, a cardigan for the mum) the quick switches aren't quite cleanly cut enough to be obvious.

Elsewhere, the lighting design, which starts with bold ‘90s colours, becomes inconsistent with the story quite quickly and a bit incoherent overall. Basically, it goes rogue and gets random. I wasn’t sure if I was looking at a schoolyard or a sex club. I caveat this though by saying that some of that might be down to the technical difficulties on the night. However, it says something alone that I can't fully tell where the difficulties ended and the design began.

Some of the physical comedy from movement director Sonny Nwachukwu and performed by Normington, with his wild and crazy dance moves tinted with childlike wonder, is good, though I think it can be overdone in these kinds of productions. And the soundtrack is pretty fun in most places.

While the cartoony set design is also amusing, the scene changes are occasionally chaotic and distracting. If you're sat either side of the thrust, you'll find yourself drawn to the shuffling taking place behind the two large decorative flats, where the cast change outfits and wait for their cues. Nevertheless, these set pieces have a fabulously kitsch Memphis pattern and give you a proper temporal plonk into the decade. 

So all that to say, although not entirely successful, a lot of love has gone into Mixed Sex. I think you can feel the heart in the production, especially from Normington himself, and his hard work should be commended. I like what he’s heading towards here. But while even the recent past can have a lot to teach us, I think in this case it should come back to the future.

Mixed Sex by Samuel Normington 

Directed by Samuel Normington and Santiago Guerra

The Lion & Unicorn Theatre 19 – 21 March 2025

Box Office: https://www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com/whats-on 

Reviewed by Alix Owen