Brexit inspired fascinating play
MY Country; A Work In Progress is a new play which comes to the Liverpool Playhouse from April 11-15.
The National Theatre has collaborated with eight UK arts organisations to create My Country; a work in progress, a new play inspired by the recent EU referendum and using the words of people across the UK and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
It will be presented at Liverpool Playhouse from April 11–15 as part of a UK tour following its current run at the NT’s Dorfman Theatre in London.
In the days after the Brexit vote, a team spoke to people around the country – from Leicester to Derry/Londonderry and Merthyr Tydfil to Glasgow, aged nine to 97, to hear their views.
In a series of interviews, they heard opinions that were honest, emotional, funny and sometimes extreme.
These testimonials are interwoven with speeches from political leaders to create a new play by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, and directed by National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris.
Britannia (played by Penny Layden) calls a meeting to listen to her people: Caledonia (played by Stuart McQuarrie), Cymru (played by Christian Patterson), East Midlands (played by Seema Bowri), North East (played by Laura Elphinstone), Northern Ireland (played by Cavan Clarke) and South West (played by Adam Ewan).
Artistic Director Rufus Norris said: “One of my ambitions for the National Theatre is to make it truly national and through collaboration, embrace the creativity and opinion around the UK.
“The Brexit vote unleashed a host of questions about our country.
“Those elements provoked a need and opportunity to create a piece of theatre that responds to that palpable sense of frustration and disillusionment.
“Art has always responded to what is happening now and it’s what I hope we achieve with My Country.”
My Country: A Work In Progress is created in collaboration with Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Curve, Leicester, Derry Playhouse, Live Theatre, National Theatre Wales, Sage Gateshead, Salisbury Playhouse and Strike A Light Festival in association with Cusack Projects Limited.
For tickets and more information go to www.everymanplayhouse.com