The National Theatre presents

My Country

In the words of people across the UK and Carol Ann Duffy

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. The debate is passionate, 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.

“Just how much of a ‘work in progress’ is emphasised when this simple but strident play opens here on the day that a General Election is called… 75 minutes of committed political theatre, using a minimum of stage design, lighting or sound, but a maximum amount of talented casting.”- British Theatre Guide

Offers the unfiltered, unflinching opinions of the general public on perhaps the most widely discussed topic of the past year… Although some of the words spoken are particularly hard-hitting and heavy in nature, Carol Ann Duffy’s wonderful wit and dry humour lighten the tone perfectly.” – Upstaged Manchester

★★★★★ “My Country therapeutically unkinks your brain and lets you hear at the end a more reverberant and ionised silent. It’s a political intervention; not a retreat into aesthetics. Roll on the next instalment.” – The Independent

★★★★ “Compassionate, funny, and insightful.” – What’s On Stage

★★★★★ “Brought to life with dignity and humour.” – The Scottish Herald

★★★★★ “A highly entertaining show.” – British Theatre

“[Rufus] Norris’s staging is lively and the six actors who speak for the people […] do a perfectly good job.” – The Guardian

“Pacey and playful” – The Daily Telegraph

“The excellent ensemble […] channels numerous people with ease and warmth. An oddly touching portrait of Britain.” – Broadway World

“The first serious theatrical presentation to take on Britain in the period since the people narrowly voted to leave Europe, it will certainly not be the last… A rather brisk but welcome canter through and around a major topic.” – British Theatre Guide

“An accurate photograph of the country in the months that preceded and followed the vote.” – Plays To See

Want to know more?

Guardian
BBC Radio 4
Channel 4
Reuters
London Evening Standard

  • Running time 75 mins (no interval)

Tickets: £24 – £10 (conc. available)

Schools & Groups Information

– Recommended for GCSE, AS and A2 and equivalent level English, Drama and Theatre Studies
– £11 per ticket, 1 teacher place free with every 10 students
– Available weekdays only and must be booked in advance
– For more information, please email groups@homemcr.org