Seamas Carey is a long way from his home in Cornwall, but his exploration of nationalism resonates here in South Australia. 

Cornish nationalism is easily overlooked as an Australian – look on most maps of the United Kingdom and you’ll see the nations of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, but no Cornwall. Cornwall is considered English, but this overlooks the fact that the Cornish have a distinct national identity and their own Celtic language to boot. Much of this ‘nationalism’ presents in wholesome local customs like collective singing and being able to reverse down narrow country lanes, but it can take a darker hue – calling non-Cornish visitors to the region ‘emmets’ (ants) or children’s participation in traditional elements of school concerts being partly dependent on how long their families have been in the region. 

Carey details his experiences of nationalism, frequently accompanied by snippets of interviews with Cornish people on the topic. One of the causes of these sentiments is very familiar in Australia: a housing affordability crisis while thousands of beach houses or second homes sit vacant for nine months of the year. 

Carey is a warm, polished and genuine performer, exemplified by his rapid four-and-a-half-minute history of Cornwall from pre-Roman times through to the 21st century. He’s also a very talented musician, playing the bagpipes and accordion, even teaching the audience a short song he’s written on Cornish pride. And he is a very proud Cornishman. His love for his homeland is clear, frequently fervent, and sometimes goes a bit far. He segregates the audience based on scone preference and castigates those whose preference is wrong. His pride/nationalism rises past the point where he loses the audience, demonstrating the dangers of some of these beliefs being taken too far, before being pulled back into a confessional. 

The show is technically tight, making use of traditional Cornish music and voice-overs, with excellent lighting design bringing the most out of the minimalist set.  Carey also uses costume to great effect, and engages in a hilarious ritual with props I’m surprised cleared Australian customs.

Nationalism is a delicate subject, but this production handles it with grace and nuance, together with a healthy dose of absurdity and humour.