Mournful musings on Brexit and racism, reminding us of the continuing effects of the government’s misdeeds
On June 23, 2016, the UK collectively decided to leave the European Union. Support for this decision came from both sides of the political spectrum – right-wingers wanted to ‘take their country back’ from ‘illegal immigrants’, while the left wing, or “Lexiteers”, believed that the EU interfered with their plans to build a socialist economy by forcing austerity. Ten years later, actor-musician Steve North, playing punk rocker and former Lexiteer Johnny Commune, brings us a heartfelt story of how even the best of intentions and the strongest of convictions can lead to a lifetime of devastation.
Something About England, named after the 1980 song by The Clash, is an informative, funny, and deeply emotional one-man play. Steve North gives us a unique, complex perspective on Brexit – not the bigotry of the right wing or the progressivism of their opponents, but the misguided passion of the few left-wingers who believed in the good of leaving the EU. In this way, we are encouraged not just to be passive viewers, but to open our minds, learn more about a part of our recent history we thought we knew.
In just one hour, North presents us with a well-written character, one who is both cheeky and guilty. Johnny Commune gives us an explanation of Lexit, pertly letting us know that we’d be clueless about the rest of this play if he didn’t, while also wanting us to leave having learned a little something. Something About England isn’t your traditional play, there is no Act 2 or Scene 5 – instead, it is a story delivered with such earnestness and likeability that it’s so easy to want to sit and learn something new! Though Brexit itself may no longer be a hot topic in this nation, six years after we left the EU, North reminds us that the effects are very much relevant.
The play also relies heavily on verse. North delivers powerful spoken-word retellings of six songs, including some by The Clash, removing the fun and music to reveal the politics of the lyrics. But the best part of Something About England, in my opinion, is the original song he performs on his unplugged electric guitar, about how people in certain parts of England were fooled by Brexit politicians, and continue to be fooled by bigoted ideals. The song is both funny and timely, the words painfully recognisable and memorable.
North’s writing and direction are strong, and though certain elements of the play such as scene transitions are a tad slow and awkward at times, Something About England is still a dynamic and important play. North is funny and down-to-earth, his acting so beautifully naturalistic. And with our political climate being thrown for a loop this past year or two, this play is an important reminder of how we got to where we are now.
Something About England was performed at the Libra Theatre Cafe as part of the Camden Fringe.