Mixed Feelings (2025)

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Poster by Siobhan Mary Walsh

by Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim

Directed by Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim

Performances: Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 November 2025, Old Fire Station


Introduction

A deep dive into the lives of one mixed-race family on the verge of a family crisis. Join us as the Adebayos unpack the house and their lives, and discover what’s really lurking under the wall paper.

Preview from SLT website

What inspired you to write the play?

I decided to write Mixed Feelings for two reasons. I was in the playwriting group at Tamasha Theatre, and was told that after writing my first play Anna Iss Mee Hanan I should straight away start working on my second play, so to not get overly comfortable after having achieved the initial feel in writing. The inspiration came from thinking about what the role of a parent is/was.

After some thought, I reckoned that the role of a parent is to guide a child through life, because they’ve lived that life before. But what happens when the child’s experience is completely different from that of the parents, which they could never understand, and does that parent even have a right to express an opinion on that experience? For me this brought up the dilemma of Mixed Feelings. Is it easier to talk about race within family or harder? And is there more of an incentive to heal the wounds that may occur?

What was your writing process?

My writing process is different in on every project. I usually let the content of the subject inform the style in which the work is realised. I’m a big believer in play and experimentation to ignite something within, and I remember writing a lot of this whilst on holiday in Thailand. There’s nothing like a bit of sun and sea to get the imagination going!

What challenges have you found in directing your own work?

The benefit of directing your own work is also potentially the challenge, as whilst being able to direct it the way you want it to be, you don’t get the external eye and the different perspective on the work which occurs when someone else directs your writing. I’ve had to rely on the cast to provide that perspective.

What themes does the play explore?

The play explores family dynamics, divorce, race, LGBT issues, Britishness, and generational differences. I’m sure there will be many more that the audience will pick out!

Tell us a little about the characters we'll meet

Yemi (Eboni Dixon) is an outspoken, conscientious and headstrong teenager, unafraid to speak her mind to her parents and strangers alike. Obuto (Leon Day) is a soft-natured young man, waiting for his moment to burst out and be seen. Their mother Helen (Victoria Claringbold) is a high-achieving, socially modern woman, but maybe not as modern as she likes to think she is. Her husband Baba (Daniel Abeshin) is a sensitive man with a strong belief in family and humour, but is still trying to find his place in British life. Friend Nigel (Tony Mecalfe) is a diplomatic, educated and likeable adult nerd.

Describe the play in three words

Family, family, family!

Cast

Crew

Special Thanks To

All the volunteers that make shows at SLT possible. I would also like to thank all of my family, Tamasha Theatre and Fin Kennedy for the help and support they gave me in developing this play.

Reviews

Some review quotes go here


Gallery

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

See Also

Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.

Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.

References

External Links

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