Are you a nationalist? Seamus Carey thinks he might be turning into one, and we’re here to witness why.
Xenophobia. Pauline Hanson. Trump. Adolf Hitler. These are the words and names that came up during the pre-show survey for word associations with the term “Nationalism” – a word so taboo, it could only be whispered on stage. But there is another side to nationalism, too: a sense of patriotism, of pride. As Seamus points out, all anti-colonial movements have been nationalist movements. But where is the line between pride and identity, and the dangerous, insidious fascist ideas that often lurk behind them?
Inspired by a series of interviews on what it means to be Cornish, recorded by Seamus in 2021, his decision to explore nationalism through a smaller nation with an ongoing history of oppression and historical censorship is inspired. Trump’s American nationalism feels very different from, say, Basque, Catalan, or Cornish nationalism, but there’s a shared core: a concern for tradition, culture, language, and an identified outsider. Seamus takes the small, innocuous parts of patriotic pride that most of us can relate to, such as pride in a particular food, landscape, or music, and slowly pulls back the curtain on how extremism can fester.
It begins as a lecture, with a big sign announcing that “Everyone is welcome here.” He shares his culture with us, inviting us to sing, eat, and listen to his language and history. He’s multitalented, playing both the Cornish bagpipes and the accordion on stage. Slowly, however, moments of darkness emerge as he “takes it too far.” The audience is split—one side fits in, while the other becomes outsiders. The song we first sang together starts to shift, its lyrics twisting from country pride to exclusionary anthems. Seamus’s outfit changes from a Cornish kilt to a long, khaki raincoat that suspiciously resembles a trench coat. It’s striking to watch the audience cheerfully sing along, followed by a strained, semi-forced sing-along as it dawns on us that we are participating in full-blown nationalism.
Seamus’s concerns are real, too. There’s a genuine housing crisis in Cornwall, with outsiders or “emmets” buying up properties for second homes, leaving towns empty during the winter months.
Seamus is brilliant, endearing, and terrifying in equal measure as he repeatedly spirals, frothing at the mouth while defending his Cornish pride. What starts as an entertaining lecture on history devolves into mad, raving rants about invading foreigners. He connects with the audience immediately, chatting with those seated before the show even officially begins. He adapts the script to suit the South Australian crowd, asking them to reflect on their own relationship to patriotism. It’s chilling to be confronted with just how blurry the line can be. The real threat of historical censorship, the erosion of language and identity by an oppressive power, and how easily that anger can be misdirected are all frighteningly clear.
Striking, thought-provoking, and a violent, sorely needed wake-up call about the importance of finding the balance between pride and tyranny. This performance leaves you questioning where that line truly lies.
Recommended drink: You could sprinkle it on your head, but for added extremism I would recommend just chugging Cornish sea water, as only a true Cornish person would. Kernow bys vyken!
Catch Help! I think I’m a Nationalist at THE STABLES @ Adelaide College of the Arts on Tue 25 Feb – Wed 26 Feb, Tue 11 Mar – Sat 15 Mar and Mon 17 Mar – Wed 19 Mar at 18:00 or at Main Theatre @ Goodwood Theatre and Studios on Sat 01 Mar – Sun 02 Mar at 13:00, Mon 03 Mar – Sat 08 Mar at 18:30, Sun 09 Mar at 16:00 Sun 16 Mar at 13:00 and Thu 20 Mar at 18:30.