I Made You A Mixtape: The 90s Dance-Theatre Party Set to Shake Up London’s Stage

London audiences will soon be able to experience a new immersive dance-theatre production when I Made You A Mixtapepremieres at The Cockpit on 6 and 7 April. Created by Response Theatre Company and choreographed by Christie Lee Manning, the show blends movement, improvisation and iconic 1990s music to create a performance where no two nights are ever the same.

Set during a lively 90s college dorm party, the production follows nine young women gathering for what begins as a carefree night of dancing, games and shared memories. As the evening unfolds and the soundtrack shifts from one nostalgic hit to the next, laughter and impulsive fun gradually give way to moments of vulnerability. Through movement and spontaneous reactions to the music, the performers reveal stories of friendship, identity, growing up and the bittersweet moment when life begins to change.

Unlike traditional scripted theatre, I Made You A Mixtape allows the story to develop in real time. The performers respond instinctively to the songs played during the show, meaning each performance unfolds differently. Music becomes the driving force of the narrative, shaping the emotional rhythm of the evening and guiding the characters through unexpected moments of connection, conflict and joy.

The production is built on the Response Movement Method, an original approach developed by the company that combines the emotional authenticity of the Meisner Technique with expressive physical storytelling. Rather than relying on spoken dialogue, the performers use movement, gesture and reaction to communicate the story, allowing audiences to experience the characters’ emotions in a direct and visceral way.

The cast includes several performers known for their work in major theatre productions. Among them are Katrina Lopes, who has appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Amy Punter from Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and Clair Gleave, known for her work in Kiss Me Quickstep. Their backgrounds in dance and musical theatre bring both technical precision and emotional energy to a performance style built around spontaneity and authenticity.

Visually, the show recreates the unmistakable atmosphere of a 1990s gathering. Lava lamps glow in the background, folding tables hold scattered board games, plastic cups sit beside old camcorders, and the soundtrack captures the spirit of a decade defined by mixtapes and shared music collections. The setting evokes a time when friendships were forged on late-night conversations, spontaneous dance sessions and the feeling that the night might never end.

For many audience members, the production offers a powerful sense of nostalgia. For others, it provides a fresh perspective on how stories can be told on stage. By blending dance, improvisation and music-driven storytelling, I Made You A Mixtape invites audiences not just to watch a performance, but to feel as though they have stepped directly into the party.

The London performances will take place at The Cockpit on 6 and 7 April, with additional preview performances scheduled from 12 to 14 June. Tickets are priced between £17.48 and £20.57 and can be booked through the venue’s website or via Response Theatre Company.

Following its London run, the production will also appear at the internationally renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, bringing its unique blend of improvisation, movement theatre and 90s nostalgia to one of the world’s largest performing arts festivals.

For audiences looking for something different from traditional theatre, I Made You A Mixtape promises a vibrant evening of music, movement and memories — the kind of night where every song tells a story and every performance becomes a one-off experience.

Tickets: £17.48 – £20.57
More info: responsetheatrecompany.com
Booking: thecockpit.org.uk