On Wednesday the 24th of April, 2024, MixMatched hosted its second night at Margate Arts Club. As a nod to Autism Inclusion Month MixMatched chose the theme ‘Intense Fascination’ understanding it to sound more empowering than the more usual ‘special interest’ that can sound like diagnostic language.
A real mix of acts! – Alongside our regulars, we were also joined by Paul Wady, a seasoned Autistic Activist and Performance who jaunted down from London. We were also fortunate enough for a local margate performer to join us Jara Olk, who also runs her performance night (which is also extremely Neurodivergent+ friendly and accepting!) Hive Minds, adorning a striking vintage red kimono, we were treated to a range of her poetry upon small birds, which, as well as being a special interest, was deeply connected to a sense of self, metaphor and spirituality. Aaron Kay, MixMatched regular, brought an interesting prop, a Kodack Kodasliide, which is a vintage pair of binoculars that you can put still images in to view – he spoke to us about how his intense fascination (leading him into his career in film) began at an early age… with a love of Doctor Who! He also brought his Zine upon special interests along, which he’d made the week previous in our Zine Making workshop! – It was passed around the audience and included pages upon little-known film facts and best-dressed actors!
We were treated to two new acts from MixMatched regular audience members… Satish took to the stage and spoke upon how intense fascination can so easily overlap with obsession; when can something enjoyable turn into something destructive/linked with worsening mental health? He confided information upon body and image, detailing how being healthy/sport can be a healthy interest, but how, especially in times of stress/overwhelm/low self-esteem, this fascination can tip into self-flagellation, overexertion, and be all-consuming. I personally connected to this strongly, having OCD, with my own interests and artistic fascinations so often getting caught up with perfectionism, shame and exhaustion – later that evening I performed my own poem upon OCD and being unable to fully let go (with my stage ‘side kick’ Holly who played the part of a kite!).
Our second audience member who took to the stage was Georgia Green, with a fascinating account of her art that explores the female form/the female form in ‘ordinary’, uncanny, and everyday poses. She discussed how, historically, women had usually been painted by men, and due to that, certain body connotations/attributes were included: young, beautiful, sexual, graceful, poised, elegant, dedicated to mothering… Georgia’s art depicted sketches of herself just ‘being’, sometimes in odd or perhaps unflattering positions. She elaborated upon how this art helped her feel more comfortable with herself, and existing as herself as a woman, without the need of a specific aesthetic ‘burden’ (e.g, removing the male gaze by drawing herself). Marrion Armstrong, Autistic Painter and gallery organiser was in the audience and approached her afterwards about contributing to the ‘Invisible Woman’ gallery and becoming part of the collective. It was really wonderful to see safe places for Neurodivergent+ to build each other up and network.
Inspired by her own Zine upon Henry the 8th and his six wives in the workshop the previous week, MixMatched co-host and director Alice Riley delivered a speech on the Tudors and modern dating. It humorously looked at how social standards and elements of the male gaze have shifted… but how they might still be harmful. She argued that though, previously there was essentially a lot of ‘slut-shaming’ (ultimately leading to two of Henrey’s wives losing their heads!)… today, with more of a focus on sexual liberation, there can also be quite a lot of pressure/expectation, on women, to have sex early/immediately… and, that if this is not what a woman wants, this is also not liberating. Alice encouraged women to be in touch with their own minds, bodies, wants and desires… and put that above all societal pressure. This led to Eli’s speech, which was also about self-acceptance.
Would the night be complete without Autistic Assemble?… Maybe… but we (Simon, Adam and myself, Emma) performed anyway. After receiving a new improv book for his birthday we decided to play a new game! (oooooo!) Whereby we all needed to find one strange/unusual story about ourselves and tell a version of it each… and see if the audience could guess who it really related to! …. they could! Turns out they knew I’d stuffed 21 chips up my nose, Adam created a false Wikipedia Article to make himself sound more famous, and Simon tried to start a ‘revolt’ in his classroom… cos he hated Georgraphy!….. Simon then went on to do an improvised comedy act, whereby he and his flatmate argued about problems they had co-existing… funny? maybe… different… Yes.
So… there you have it! Another night of heartfelt stories, shameless comedy, and insightful revelations! Hope to see you all next time!!! 😀
Set List:
Act One
1) Adam Dorr – comedy
2) Paul Wady – Comedy speech upon elements of being neurodivergent/neurodivergent encounters.
3) Aaron Kay – speech on pre-2005 Dr Who, using zine made in the workshop
4) Satish – speech on body image and how passion and obsession can become ‘fused’ and ways to tell them apart.
Act Two
5) Autistics Assemble – improv group
6) Emma Robdale – Poetery upon OCD and obsession/fixation.
7) Zara Olk – founder of Hivemind, poetry upon small birds and mental health
8) Alice Riley – speech on the Tudors and modern dating
Act Three
9) Eli Harnett – speech upon self-acceptance.
10) Georgia Green – showing artwork, speech on art history and the male gaze
11) Simon Kempthorne (he/ him) – improvised comedy piece/bouncing off audience.