Entertainment

Brexit under discussion in Derry-bound play My Country: A Work in Progress

The views of the people following last year's Brexit vote are intermingled with speeches by politicians and the words of poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy in a new stage play, which comes to Derry next week. Jenny Lee finds out more from Ballygally-born actor Cavan Clarke, the voice of Northern Ireland

Co Antrim actor Cavan Clarke plays Northern Ireland in My Country: A Work in Progress, at Derry's Playhouse from April 4-8
Co Antrim actor Cavan Clarke plays Northern Ireland in My Country: A Work in Progress, at Derry's Playhouse from April 4-8 Co Antrim actor Cavan Clarke plays Northern Ireland in My Country: A Work in Progress, at Derry's Playhouse from April 4-8

AS DEBATE about the UK's exit from the European Union intensifies, a new stage play exploring people's views on the EU Referendum comes to the Derry stage.

My Country: A Work In Progress is the brainchild of artistic director of the National Theatre in London Rufus Norris, who wanted to create of theatre that responded to "that palpable sense of frustration and disillusionment", that followed last June's surprise leave vote.

To gain a snapshot of post-Brexit Britain, teams from the National Theatre and eight UK arts organisations, including Derry's Playhouse Theatre, garnered the opinions of people aged nine to 97. These testimonies were blended with speeches from political leaders including David Cameron, Boris Johnston and Nigel Farage by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

My Country: A Work In Progress takes the form of a meeting, which Britannia (representing Westminster) calls to listen to her people: Caledonia, Cymru, East Midlands, North East, Northern Ireland, and South West.

The actors, who speak for their specific territory, hold up photos of the interviewees whose testimony we will hear. Immigration, nationalism and patriotism are to the fore and the Irish border is also discussed.

Playing the role of Northern Ireland, and representing the views of the people here, is Ballygally actor Cavan Clarke.

"I was fighting Northern Ireland's corner in rehearsals," says the 25-year-old, whose stage credits include The Cherry Orchard at the Young Vic and Wendy and Peter at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Like many, Cavan, performing back home for the first time since he appeared in panto in Ballymena as a 17-year-old, was surprised that the leave vote won the referendum by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent.

"I didn't see it coming at all. I'm in south London, which is so multicultural, and there was an animosity and unease for a few days," he says.

So how does his character represent the two sides and voices of northern society?

"There were talks at the start of rehearsals about how we even-handedly embrace Northern Ireland's two very different stereotypes. But what comes out in this play is the individuality of the person. Most of the people interviewed were very honest and very open about sharing their lives.

"Whilst the majority of those interviewed from here were disappointed, as Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU, this had to be a conversation between all the people of the UK. What the play is trying to achieve is to take a look at the issues of all the people in this mad world of globalisation and how it's affecting us all."

Exact words taken from the interviews are used in the play, leading to some light-hearted moments – not least from the people of Derry who took part in the project.

"People are funny when they are just being themselves and there is a range of voices from Derry. We have everything from a guy talking about coming to terms with his sexuality by fancying Jason Donovan on TV when he was a child, to a man talking about his house being raided by the British army when we was younger. And a woman who felt victimised because she voted leave and was accused of being racist," explains Cavan.

Just like the referendum itself, the play is sure to promote debate.

"I've never been in a show with more mixed reviews, both from journalists and audiences. Some leave angry, others are deeply moved and saddened. Different people will get different things from it. The main thing I've got out of it is that act of listening and giving people time to get across their opinions.

"We all have completely different issues and completely different perspectives, but we share is the same human feelings. Overall people felt very disenfranchised with the leadership and in all areas they felt they weren't being heard. The fact that we have more in common that divides out is one of the play's main talking points. "

:: My Country: A Work In Progress runs at Derry's Playhouse from April 4-8. Derryplayhouse.co.uk