Coming of age tale Pick n Mix gets London Premiere at Pleasance Islington

Pick n Mix is a coming of age story of sisterhood, sex ed, sanitary pads and the fierce friendship between teenagers in Bradford making its London debut at Pleasance Islington.

It’s the raucous and moving debut play from Kat Rose-Martin, who is a Kay Mellor Fellow, and comes to London after a sold out run across West Yorkshire later last year.

Olivia, her sister Kim, and best friend Alisha all fall for the same lad, and not surprisingly chaos ensues as lies are told and their lifelong friendships are on the verge of breakdown. The young women’s Lives are about to change forever as Rose-Martin muses on just how much you can mess up before your mates hate you, and how exactly do you put a condom on one-handed?

Pick n Mix is a frank and funny work touching sensitively on issues including teenage pregnancy, miscarriage and porn, whilst giving the young women agency and ownership over their decisions and outcomes.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing the story of Olivia, Kim and Alisha to The Pleasance after having a brilliant time taking Pick n Mix around West Yorkshire,” says Kat Rose-Martin.

“It’s so important to have authentic northern voices telling their stories both at home and across the UK and on issues which still feel taboo in lots of places. I hope people see themselves and their best mates in the Pick n Mix gang, feel for them, laugh with and at them, then go and call your BFFs straight after seeing the show”.

Pick n Mix was written as a celebration of the young people of Bradford focusing on their passion, humour, and resilience. The cast includes Natalie Davies. who is in the upcoming Disney+ series The Full Monty as Tabani, and they are directed by Alex Chisholm.

“Pick n Mix is loosely based on people Kat knew at Buttershaw School in Bradford where Andrea Dunbar went, “notes Alex Chisholm. “Like Andrea, and Kat’s mentor, Kay Mellor, Kat’s work has that wit, warmth, and rough-edged reality. It’s a treat to be able to present this first full-length play, with a company of young Northern talent.

Pick n Mix is at Pleasance Islington from Tuesday 24th January – Saturday 4th February 2023 (not Sunday 29th or Monday 30th January 2023) at 7pm Tickets priced £12 (£10) from www.pleasance.co.uk