MISS BREXIT at Camden People’s Theatre
★★★½
“The show veers into chaos at times and revels in feverish energy that ignites the audience”
The cast of Miss Brexit frolic across the stage, directed by Alejandro Postigo and Amaia Mugica, in a joyful and touching celebration of identity and solidarity. The show poses as a pageant that allows one European contestant to remain in the UK after demonstrating their passion for British culture and music. Each song tells the difficult circumstances of their move to the UK, with stories of strange housemates, uncaring jobcentres and barmy employers. Accompanying the troupe is a bowtie wearing host who intercuts the performances with quizzes and audience participation.
The countries represented are Switzerland, (Maxence Marmy), Italy (Isabel Mulas), Portugal (Ricardo Ferreira) and Spain, or more accurately Catalonia (Alba Villaitodo – displaying exceptional commitment to ridiculousness) and Spain/Slovakia/Cuba (Shivone Dominguez Blascikova), highlighting the nuanced complex identities of Europe and Londoners AKA “The Marias”. The sparkly emcee (George Berry) whose performance is gleeful, reveals his own identity over the course of the show, parading as the epitome of British culture.
The cast have brilliant chemistry and tap into camp silliness, equipped with a recorder, black leotards, and a lot gumption, each brilliant in their respective scenes. The original music is impressive and delightful, incorporating other languages and delivered with passion (composed by Harvey Cartlidge), with particular singing talent exhibited in “Maria Maria” (Switzerland). The use of fabulous costumes make comment on stereotypes and colonisation as well as bringing levity and character to the segments.
The show veers into chaos at times and revels in feverish energy that ignites the audience. This glorious rough-around the edges piece is entertaining and surprisingly moving towards the end, with some hard truths and sad realties embedded into the fun. The writing is witty and satirical with the host spouting “unlike the communist dictatorships our contestants hail from, we have democracy”. The play tackles ramifications of xenophobia and Brexit in 2016, without referencing more recent developments and relying on Boris Johnson jokes (strangely there’s been three prime ministers since then). Occasionally, bits fell into confusion and were too reliant on audience interaction. There were also occasional, but noticeable moments where volume and lack of clarity was an issue despite the intimate performance space.
The show hits its message towards the end, switching from cabaret Eurovision to a more serious commentary on immigration and colonisation; undoubtedly, making use of the lived-experience of its performers. This bold funny and character-filled show is a jubilant audience experience with plenty of laughter and contemplation to be had as Britain and Europe grapple with the consequences of Brexit and its multicultural identity.
MISS BREXIT at Camden People’s Theatre
Reviewed on 29th May 2024
by Jessica Potts
Photography by Hana Ptáčková
Previously reviewed at this venue:
CONFUSED CHRONICLES OF ALEPPO | ★ | August 2023
INVASION! AN ALIEN MUSICAL | ★★ | July 2023
MISS BREXIT
MISS BREXIT
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