We sat down for a quick chat with Miss Brexit before her Edinburgh Fringe shows.

1. What did you discover—about yourselves or each other—while creating a

show that tackles identity, belonging, and satire all at once?

That we weren’t alone in this quest of belonging without erasing our heritage and our personality; that it was actually worth it to stay who we were and be true to ourselves; that in finding that, we would also find our people and our place in this crazy society. We also discovered that it doesn’t matter where you are from, something from the show will resonate with each individual who comes and sees MISS BREXIT.

2. How does Miss Brexit balance being bold and hilarious with confronting the

real, often painful experiences of migration?

Lots of reality can be depicted through humour and that is what we are trying to achieve. Creating the characters that are based on our experiences and making them bigger and more stereotypical is a great way to express the real and the difficult experiences. After that, it is up to the audience to analyse it, question what they just saw, and reflect and how they would feel in these situations.

3. What moments from the devising process surprised you the most, either

emotionally or artistically?

The big surprise was how we turned something deeply personal and quite emotional to something funny and entertaining while keeping the real message alive and vibrant.

4. What do you want British audiences—especially at the Fringe—to take away

about what it really means to “become British”?

That’s an amazing question! It’s very complex, and a bit up to interpretation when you come to see the play. But we have our 2 cents that we can’t let you go without. The show is not to show British audiences what it is to become British. We never actually define what being British is. Or what it is to be Portuguese, Spanish, Swiss, etc. The message is that we don’t want to lose ourselves in the country we are trying to integrate in.

The problem is that we came here to be in international stages and become actors, but the industry doesn’t allow for that much diversity. We don’t have an English accent, we don’t look English, and this results in a lack of opportunities. We are seen only as foreign, and portrayed as a stereotype. So we made the whole show a grotesque stereotype of every one of us – including the British – to show that there is way more that defines someone.

There is so much richness in the collision of cultures. Imagine going to the theatre or going to the cinema and seeing more stories from around the world. How much we would understand each other and the world better. On top of that, the UK – heck, the world – is incubating this rhetoric that immigrants are not welcome as they’re the source of all the problems. More recently, the UK has become an “island of foreigners”. Brexit wasn’t 8 years ago, it kept growing and growing. We want the audience at the fringe to think how diverse the industry actually is, and what it is to be a “foreigner”…

We think integration shouldn’t mean erasure. Currently the world doesn’t see it this way…

5. With so many voices and stories feeding into the piece, how did you ensure

everyone’s perspective remained heard and represented?

We all had a voice in the creative process and that is how the show was created originally. We are making sure during the redevelopment periods or when we refine the material that everyone feels they have the space to express their ideas and their opinions on the material, and then we come to a consensus. It isn’t always easy as it takes time and time is precious in this industry, but it is something we try to cherish and honour.

6. If there were an actual ‘Miss Brexit’ pageant, what would your character’s

talent round involve—karaoke in three languages, mashed potato sculpting, or

fierce political monologues?

Haha this is great! To be honest, if there were an actual Miss Brexit pageant I would be quite scared. But to answer the question I would seduce everyone with pastéis de nata. – Ricardo

A hot debate in yodel. And one where two people have a massive debate in different languages. – Maxence

I am all in for the karaoke in our mother tongues, I would win 😉 – Shivone

Cooking contest, all contestants cooking traditional dishes (either a funny “English Version” of our traditional dishes or attempting English cuisine, without understanding the recipe (weird UK words/ingredients), and MC picking the best. – Alba

Ever heard of the Great British Bake Off? I propose the Great British dance off. – George

Like this:

Like Loading…