A turbulent ride! – MixMatched, once again, prevailed in finding a new venue! – We are very grateful for The Mooring Cafe for putting us up in their cozy establishment at such short notice. Thanks to everyone who joined us – WE PACKED OUT THE PLACE, not one seat was left!
As always, we we had a packed performance schedule…. Starting off with your host, Emma Robdale, performing a spellbinding reading of her recently published rhyming short story, ‘The Crowne is Crowned’, detailing a fierce swamp witch (published by Magical Woman ADHD/Autistic creative collective).
Emma also hosted a short performance of Autistic Assemble (improvisational comedy performance) with Simone Kemptorne and Adam Dorr. As absurd as it was funny! – the audience peeled with laugher as performers desperately acted out a range of scenarios (at one point Simon was rolling across the floor!) – two brave audience members jumped in to join the fun!
We welcomed a new wave of Neurodivergent+ performers, one being Tommy (Powerpoint Tommy!), member of Kent Stand-up society, paring comedy with pictures, he hilariously summarized in bullet-points. His second time to MixMatched stage, Alex Franks roasted his mother (who was in the audience!) – Another MixMatched second… Aaron Kay regaled us with a number of his reflections upon awkward encounters (including a debate on weather ‘meowing’ is inherently sexual?) And, our most loyal Performer, Adam Dorr, unfolded a batch of new material.
After attending MixMatched ‘Page to Stage’ workshop at Birchington Literature Festival, Marion Armstrong, (founder of invisible women, an arts collective that exhibits the artwork work of autistic women), plucked up the courage to perform for the first time. – She had audience members hanging on her every word as she read her first poem upon autistic/late-diagnosed autistic identity. Followed by Ellen Jones, another MixMatched regular – championing experimental expression in her performance, and always teaching us something new, she performed her own take upon spirituality, culture and neurodivergence
This MixMatched night was particularly musical, with not one, not two, not three, but four guitarists performing their own songs and music. – including one brave sign-up, rounding our night off with heart-felt melody.
Who knows where we’ll end up next – but we hope you’ll follow us. – Thanks for a fabulous evening, hope to see many of you again soon. 
Our Setlist:
- Emma Robdale – A rhyming feminist witch story!
- Tommy – PowerPoint comedy
- Alex Franks – Stand-up… upon his mother… with his mother in the audience!
- Eli Harnett – Music and song!
- Marion Armstrong – First time performing poetry upon autistic identity and experience
- Karl Mercer – Music/Poetry
- Adam Dorr– stand up.
- Autistics Assemble – Hosted by Emma Robdale with Simon Kempthorne and Adam Dorr. Audience members also joined in.
- Ellen Jones – Creating her own costume/mask, performed her own take upon Neurodivergent cultural and spiritual identities.
- Aaron Kay – stand-up upon Neurodivergent Awkwardness!
- Angel Dee – Performing her own music and song.
- ? – Our only sign-up on the night! – Performed their own music upon the guitar.
Thanks again everyone for watching! – If you’ve got an opportunity you think one of our performers would fit, please contact us at: mixmatched.sw@gmail.com
Hope to see you at our next Neuroqueer night!!!