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A hilarious and heartfelt satire that brilliantly explores culture, identity, and integration.Summary
Rating
Excellent
When I arrived in the UK in 2019, Brexit was just beginning to take full effect. Despite constant media coverage and endless discussions, it all felt intangible and hard to articulate. The words of pundits, politicians, and even comedians didn’t resonate with my personal experience. Naturally, I had high hopes for Maria Who?’s debut production, “Miss Brexit,” and I was not disappointed.
The show begins in darkness with a sombre speech by Boris Johnson, setting a tone that quickly shifts. The door opens, and red robed actors enter one by one, executing precise movements as they turn to face the audience with synchronized “royal waves”. Suddenly, the music pumps up and the robes are removed, revealing black one-piece swimsuits: It’s time for Miss Brexit! The prize? Staying in the UK!
From the moment George Berry steps onto the stage, it’s clear he’s the show-stealer. His parody of a pageant host, with flamboyant style, rapid-fire jokes, and charismatic body language, is spot-on. One by one, contestants named Maria (or Marie, or Marian) introduce themselves and offer parodic takes on their home countries, both skits in themselves and commentary on how cultures are perceived and misunderstood. Each gets a moment in the spotlight, blending humour with heartfelt reflections on cultural identities and personal journeys. Alba Villatodo’s opera on the absurdity of auditioning with different accents and Isabel Mulas’ tales of the tube are both painfully relatable and hilariously exaggerated.
Despite its predominantly slapstick style, the production also touches on themes of isolation, loneliness, and loss of identity. Ricardo Ferreira’s monologue captures the struggles of immigrating, likely bringing tears to anyone who has faced similar challenges.
The show’s structure is clever, mixing in trivia segments about “British Facts” and engaging the audience with interactive segments. The energy remains high as crowd members are brought on stage to judge quintessential British skills like tea pouring, creating a sense of communal involvement.
However, some segments could benefit from a little more polish, especially towards the end. While the slapstick comedy, physical theatre, and high-energy audience participation are consistently great, a few serious monologues feel slightly out of sync within the overall frenetic pace.
Musically, the production shines with an original score by Harvey Cartlidge that perfectly complements both its comedic and dramatic elements. Maxence Marmy’s comedic yodelling and Shivone Dominhuez Blascikova‘s heartfelt performance are particularly memorable, adding layers of emotion and humour to the show.
Alejandro Postigo and Amaia Mugica’s directing makes smart use of various theatrical devices. From simple but effective lighting and sound design to creative stage choreography, every element is meticulously crafted to enhance the storytelling. The directors let each actor showcase their strength and culture, which ensures the audience remains fully engaged and results in a thoroughly enjoyable and impactful experience.
Watching Miss Brexit feels like someone condensed the confusion and emotions of my past few years into a fever dream. The humour, poignant moments, and raw honesty captures the essence of what it feels like to be caught between two worlds. It brings to life the intangible effects I had struggled to put into words, making for both a deeply personal and universally relatable show.
Created and directed by: Alejandro Postigo and Amaia Mugica
Assistant Director: Jazmine Mitts
Music composed by: Harvey Cartlidge
Miss Brexit plays at Camden People’s Theatre until 31 May. Further information and bookings can be found here.
