Simon Ward reviews Mixed Sex at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre

Writer Samuel Normington (who also co-directs and stars as Sam) recounts how this, his first full-length play, began in lockdown as he jotted down some anecdotes from his childhood. It then became a monologue before being fleshed out into this four-hander. I have to admit that there were moments during the evening when I felt it might have worked better as a one-man confessional piece. There is no doubt that Normington is the stand-out performer among the cast, and his passion to bring his story to an audience is evident throughout. I didn’t think the rest of the production lived up to his aims.

The story is of Sam’s childhood, and his dawning realisation, in his confused, pre-pubescent state, that he is not like other boys. If he is confused, so too, is everyone else around him, or, at least, so they seem to him. His male friends can’t understand his lack of interest in football, and his continued interest in Care Bears. Likewise, his parents can’t fathom his desire to go the ‘Mixed Sex’ school of the title rather than the boys’ school where they will make a man of him. To those around him, Sam’s desire to hang out with the girls that he is friends with is frankly baffling.

Sam’s best friend is Rosie (Lana-Peta Dean) but he does also have two friends who are boys – Ricky (Calvin Dean) and Archie (Lanre Danmola). As they are all evolving and growing away from him, Sam seems to be the only one who likes things the way they are.

It is always a challenge to render children well with adult actors. The problem is confounded when the actors are also doubling up as adults. For me, the text seems to have a bit too much burgeoning sexuality going on, especially considering the children are supposed to be on the verge of secondary school, rather than fully blown adolescents. Transitions between characters were awkward at times and there was a nervousness to some of the actors, suggesting that it really needed more rehearsal time. The themes of the play were endearing, but for a comedy it was lacking in laugh-out-loud funny moments. And the decision to play it as comedy meant that the jeopardy involved in finding oneself gay in a supposedly strict Christian environment where that would not be tolerated practically disappeared. From the older brother, who clearly knows exactly what is going on and is as supportive as his cool persona will allow, to the friends and family who are mystified but never horrified by Sam’s behaviour, it all seemed rather safe. Which is lovely, but doesn’t make for great drama.

It seems churlish to be unkind about a work which is clearly very personal. Normington as a performer is full of charm and wit and he cleverly dealt with the production mishaps that befell him on the night I saw the play. But that is precisely what made me think we would have been better served with a one-man show where his personality could shine through more directly.

Mixed Sex is running at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre, 42-44 Gaisford Street, London NW5 2ED until Friday 21st March