We’re so excited to be announcing the first new work from our 2022 Make Work cohort. Pick n Mix, by rising star Kat Rose-Martin, will premiere at Kala Sangam Arts Centre in Bradford this November before a tour of Bradford and Leeds.
Pick n Mix is the story of what happens when Olivia, her sister Kim, and her best friend Alisha all fall for the same lad. With plenty of laughs, the play also deals sensitively with teenage pregnancy, miscarriage, and the fierce female friendship that binds these young women together. Pick n Mix is a touching, laugh-out-loud celebration of the young people of Bradford, their passion, humour, and resilience.
Kat Rose-Martin is a Bradford lass born and bred. Trained as an actor, she’s been writing for five years, including being the inaugural Kay Mellor Fellow at Leeds Playhouse and writing for Holby City and Sky One’s, Wolf. She’s had short plays produced at The Globe, Leeds Playhouse, and Birmingham Rep. Pick n Mix is her first full-length play to be produced.
“I’m chuffed to bits that Pick N Mix is premiering in Bradford. This play is about normal people from the city, people that I grew up with and care for immensely. It’s about family, survival, and how we all want to feel special to someone. A fair amount is inspired by my experiences and the chaos of being a 15-year-old lass. More than anything, I want Pick N Mix to be a good night out with many laughs and maybe a moment or two of wanting to hug your besties”.
Pick n Mix is directed by Alex Chisholm, former Co-Artistic Director of Bradford’s Freedom Studios, and designed by a young local designer, Madi Omatseone, with music by Josh Depass, who recently curated and produced the music for Cashy C’s The Musical.
Pick n Mix is funded by Bradford Producing Hub and is supported using public funding by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants. Pick n Mix is produced in association with Leeds Studio.
Tour Dates
Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Bradford
1 – 5 November 2022
7.30 pm (plus a 2 pm matinee on 5 November)
Tickets
Scholemoor Community Centre, Bradford
Wednesday 9 November 2022
6.30 pm
More information
Leeds Playhouse
10 and 11 November
7.30 pm
Tickets
Rockwell Community Centre, Bradford
Saturday 12 November
7:00 pm
Tickets
Bingley Arts Centre
Sunday 13 November
7:00 pm
Tickets
The Pick n Mix cast
Olivia, played by Charlotte Ellis
Charlotte Ellis is a Bradfordian actor, writer and poet. She recently wrote and starred in her debut play ‘A Young Girl’s Guide to Madness’, receiving 4 stars at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022. Charlotte has been mentored by Kat Rose-Martin (Bradford Producing Hub Mentoring scheme) and Tess Seddon (National Theatre New Views) for both in her acting/writing development. Her poetry was a part of the ‘I Am Perfect as Me’ exhibition (Commonwealth Theatre) and was a finalist for the ‘Make the Cut’ competition with Director’s Cut Theatre at the Pleasance (London). Charlotte loves to tell authentic stories through her work.
Kim, played by Natalie Davies
Natalie was born and brought up in Bradford of mixed Asian and English parentage. Television credits include Casualty, Doctors and Vicar of Dibley Christmas special (all BBC), and Coronation Street (ITV). She will soon be seen playing Tabani in Disney plus The Full Monty Series; she also plays series regular Ashley in the Channel 4 Comedy Hullraisers.
Natalie played Parveen in the award-winning feature film Eaten By Lions. Stage credits include her show Full English which won Best Production at Asian Media Awards 2021.
Alisha, played by Sonia Wrightson
Sonia is a mixed-race actress born and raised in West Yorkshire. Since being a child, Alisha has always had a passion for performing. She trained at Anglia Ruskin University, graduating in 2015 with a BA in Honours in Performing Arts. Since graduating, she has continued to pursue her acting career. Performing at Leeds Playhouse and York Fringe Festival. Sonia’s recent focus has been on tv and film, where she has been featured in the current women’s football advert for EE. Sonia is thrilled to be back on stage playing Alisha in Kat Rose- Martin’s Pick n Mix.
Jordan, played by Morgan Scriven
Morgan Scriven is an actor and artist with experience in theatre and screen. Scriven’s credits include ‘Graduation’ (short film), which premiers nationally at film festivals in 2023, ‘The Bench’ (2021) and ‘Before It Rains’ (2019). Scriven is also the co-artistic director of Common People Theatre Company, where he performed in their recent sell-out production of ‘Doll’ at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2022). As well as acting, Scriven is an artist and musician; he graduated in July 2022 with a first-class degree in Art and Design.
Kash, played by Mustafa Chaudhry
Mustafa Chaudhry is an actor and writer trained at Rose Bradford College and the National Youth Theatre. He has extensive experience in Verbatim Theatre, having toured nationally in a lead role in Lung Theatre’s Amnesty Award-winning Play Trojan Horse’. Further projects include working with Bradford’s Freedom Studios, the Playhouse Theatre Company and the Omnibus Theatre in London.
Full company credits:
Written by Kat Rose-Martin
Directed by Alex Chisholm
Designed by Madi Omatseone
Lighting Design by Tom Blackband
Music and Sound Design by Josh Depass
Associate Director Madiha Ansari
Stage Manager Lauren Cross
Photography by Carolyn Mendelsohn
Press information
See the full press release here. Press images are available here.
The press night is 2 November at 7.30 pm at Kala Sangam. For tickets, photos, and all press enquiries, please contact Aamta-Tul Waheed at aamtatulwaheed@gmail.com
