My Country: A Work In Progress

In the days following the Brexit vote, a team from the National Theatre spoke to people nationwide, aged 9 to 97, to hear their views on the country we call home. In a series of deeply personal interviews, they heard opinions that were honest, emotional, funny, and sometimes extreme. My Country puts their words centre stage.

Britannia calls a meeting, to listen to her people. Caledonia, Cymru, East Midlands, North East, Northern Ireland and the South West bring the voices of their regions. The debate is passionate, the darts are sharp, stereotypes nailed and opinions divided. Can there ever be a United Kingdom?

These real testimonials are interwoven with speeches from party leaders of the time in this groundbreaking new play by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, and director Rufus Norris.

Creatives

Carol Ann Duffy Writer
Rufus Norris Director
Katrina Lindsay Designer
Paul Knott Lighting Designer
David Shrubsole Music
Alex Caplen Sound Designer
Jeannette Nelson Company Voice Work
Rosemary McKenna Staff Director
Pádraig Cusack Producer

Reviews

Uncategorisable brilliance

The Independent

Highly entertaining...don't miss it

British Theatre

Compassionate, funny and insightful

What's On Stage

Brought to life with dignity and humour

Scottish Herald

Lighthearted...very funny

The Reviews Hub

Light comedy, often from Penny Layden’s embodiment of leading politicians, steers this work away from dry and dense debate...The audience, myself included, were hanging on every word

Culture Whisper

The piece is at its best with these intimate verbatim interviews, with Duffy and Norris sustaining their blend of playfulness and pathos...An amuse bouche of a political documentary

Exeunt

Excellent ensemble...engaging and energetic

Broadway World

Intensely acted, well-intentioned, topical

Time Out

There are moments of loveable eccentricity

The Arts Desk

Pacey and playful

The Telegraph

Norris’s staging is lively

The Guardian

Generous, open and sympathetic

Financial Times