My Mix(ed up) Tape: A Landmark Night for Welsh Theatre 🏴🪩
There are some nights in theatre that just feel special and this was absolutely one of them.
Last night at Sherman Theatre, My Mix(ed up) Tape didn’t just entertain, it landed, deeply and unapologetically, as one of the most exciting pieces of Welsh theatre in recent memory.
From the moment you walked into the building, there was a palpable buzz. The foyer was alive with conversation, anticipation, and a real sense that something important was about to happen. A true “who’s who” of the arts sector turned out, and by the end of the night, it was clear why.
A raw, funny, and fiercely honest Welsh story
My Mix(ed up) Tape follows Phoebe Phillips, dragged back to the Valleys for a wedding she never wanted to attend — and forced to confront her past, her identity, and the messy reality of belonging. Set inside a brilliantly chaotic working men’s club, the play unfolds through a mixtape of memories, live DJ beats, and razor-sharp storytelling.
What makes this production stand out is its honesty. It doesn’t romanticise, soften, or exaggerate. Instead, it offers a grounded, deeply authentic portrayal of working-class Welsh life, something that feels all too rare. For Welsh audiences in particular, there are moments of instant recognition: the banter, the tensions, the characters, the unspoken truths simmering beneath the surface.
“It’s messy, loud, emotional, and deeply human.”
A powerhouse performance from Katie Payne
Written and performed by Katie Payne, this is a tour-de-force solo performance that never lets up. Payne’s ability to shift between characters is nothing short of remarkable. From the “cool aunty” to the roadman ex, to Phoebe’s parents, each character is vividly realised through precise changes in accent, posture, and expression.
At times, it genuinely feels as though you’re sitting among the wedding guests, watching real lives unfold in front of you. Every detail is so finely observed that each character becomes instantly recognisable — people you know, people you’ve met, people you might even be related to.
Direction, music, and atmosphere
Under the direction of Stef O’Driscoll, the production moves at a gripping pace - full-throttle, emotionally charged, and perfectly balanced between humour and heartbreak. The live DJ element adds another layer entirely, turning the show into a pulsating, immersive experience where music and memory collide.
A huge part of what makes the show so immersive is its soundscape. The live DJ set by DJ ONAI is far more than a stylistic choice, it’s the heartbeat of the production. The mixtape of tracks has been so carefully curated that it instantly transports you into the world of the play. At times, it genuinely feels like you’ve stepped into a working men’s club in the Valleys: the music, the energy, the nostalgia — it’s all there.
A standout moment for accessibility in theatre
A particularly powerful element of the production is how it integrates British Sign Language. As discussed in our most recent episode of our podcast [Pain in the Arts], there’s a growing need for more creative approaches to accessibility and this show delivers exactly that.
Julie Doyle our BSL interpreter isn’t placed to the side as an afterthought. Instead, she is woven seamlessly into the fabric of the performance, becoming part of the storytelling itself. It’s a thoughtful, innovative approach that elevates the entire production and sets a new benchmark for inclusive theatre.
“My Mix(ed up) Tape is more than just a great night at the theatre — it’s a landmark moment.”
A benchmark for Welsh theatre
Having worked in the arts sector for over a decade and engaged in critical writing since 2019, it’s fair to say this reviewer has seen a wide range of Welsh stories on stage. What makes My Mix(ed up) Tape so significant is its refusal to filter or dilute. It tells a working-class Welsh story with compassion, complexity, and truth — something that feels both urgent and long overdue.
This is not a tidy narrative about “going home.” It’s messy, loud, emotional, and deeply human. It tackles rage, identity, family dynamics, and the lies we tell ourselves to survive. All while remaining laugh-out-loud funny.
Final thoughts
My Mix(ed up) Tape is more than just a great night at the theatre — it’s a landmark moment. The kind of production that will be referenced for years to come as an example of how to tell culturally specific stories with authenticity and care.
This is Welsh theatre at its boldest, most truthful, and most exciting.
If this production is anything to go by, the future of Welsh storytelling on stage is in very safe hands.
My Mix(ed up) Tape is a powerful partnership from Dirty Protest, RCT Theatres and Grand Ambitions.
