• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

My Country; a work in progress at the National Theatre

March 13, 2017 by Anna Zanetti Leave a Comment

Review of: My Country; a work in progress at the National Theatre
Price:
£35 / £15

Reviewed by: Anna Zanetti
Rating:
4
On March 13, 2017
Last modified:March 13, 2017

Summary:

A thought-voicing more than a thought-provoking play, My country is a journey through the emotions of a country.

More Details

Brexit has been a bizarre political occurrence, and a hazy one at every possible level. Not only are we still unsure about what the future will hold, but the referendum has also left us perplexed on the alleged unity of the United Kingdom. ‘Who are our neighbours who entertain such xenophobic views?’, a pro-Remain may say; ‘How can people be so blind, impractical, and naïve?’, a Brexiteer may wonder. The theatrical piece My Country; a work in progress aims to be a collation of what the real people thought.

The allegories of different parts of Britannia (Caledonia, The East Midlands, Northern Ireland, Cymru, The East Midlands, and The South West) jump on stage to give voice to the people of Britain before, during, and after the EU referendum. Meant to be the “spirits and hearts of their regions, and voice of their people”, the characters speak verbatim (and, most of the time, ‘accentatim’), with material gathered from interviews conducted by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and National Theatre director Rufus Norris.

The risk of staging caricatures or puppets is easily avoided by a talented cast, who manage to balance to perfection the audience’s laugher and reflection. Original texts by Carol Ann Duffy also prove eloquent and expressive, giving the verbatim piece a poetic frame. With dynamic stage movements and witty breaks of the fourth wall, the show sets out by getting the audience hooked.

Devoid of the aspiration to trace back the roots of Brexit or to give a definite answer to what is going to happen, My country is a genuine work in progress, a snapshot of people’s opinions in a multifaceted country such as the United Kingdom. Particularly successful is the round-up of common places and arguments leading to Brexit. The series of motives surrounding the country’s decision is finally fleshed out in a clear (or clearer) way: from the money wasted by Brussels to the UK’s supposed self-sufficiency, from patriotist reasons to immigration and benefits. The wide range of social motivations is presented in an almost naturally-flowing way.

Perhaps less effective is the initial sequence, with people simply describing their personal circumstances. While it was meant to prove that (put poetically) “the seeds of our circumstances flower into our actions”, it might perhaps have been a bit more concise. At times, the pace seemed to slow down, and jokes that were funny in the beginning were reiterated to the point of losing their humour. Nevertheless, most of the show was engaging and compelling, with an overall architecture working extremely well.

A thought-voicing more than a thought-provoking play, My country is a journey through the emotions of a country, and an effective way to show how it is only through listening that the country can hope to overcome its present divisions.

 

My Country; a work in progress runs at the National Theatre until 22nd March, before beginning a UK tour. Tickets can be purchased from the National Theatre website.

 

Director: Rufus Norris

Designer: Katrina Lindsay

Lighting Designer: Paul Knott

Music: David Shrubsole

Sound Designer: Alex Caplen

Movement: Polly Bennett

Creative Producer: Pádraig Cusack

Company Voice Work: Jeannette Nelson

Staff Director: Rosemary McKenna

Cast: Seema Bowri, Cavan Clarke, Laura Elphinstone, Adam Ewan, Penny Layden, Stuart McQuarrie, Christian Patterson

Author: Anna Zanetti
T: Twitter

Filed Under: Featured, Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Silent Faces on Godot is a Woman’s first UK Tour

Silent Faces return to the stage with their signature style of playful and political physical theatre, interrogating permission, patriarchy, and [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Max Rinehart on The Retreat

We spoke to actor Max Rinehart about his experience working on the European premiere of Jason Sherman’s The Retreat at [Read More]

NEWS / Frozen Light celebrate 10 years with Sensory Symposium

The UK’s premiere company for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities invites industry professionals of all genres and sensory [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Jenny Foulds on Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human

Performer Jenny Foulds tells us about her forthcoming one woman show Life Learnings of a Nonsensical Human, coming to the [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Monique Touko on We Need New Names

We Need New Names is a defiant and exuberant coming-of-age story follows a young girl from the playgrounds of Zimbabwe [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Max Rinehart on The Retreat
  • The Cherry Orchard- a translation for modern times and a modern audience? The Young Vic
  • Does Small to Mid Scale Theatre Touring Actually Work?
  • The Adrian Pagan Award is Back - Could You Win It?
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Monique Touko on We Need New Names
  • Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene
  • Unleash The Llama talks Five Years With The White Man
  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • Anna Zanetti
    Author

  • March 13th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!