Brexit explored on stage, screen and print

Following Britain's decision to leave the European Union after the 2016 referendum, the actions of politicians and the divide in society have been captured within popular culture.

From comedic satire to dramas in theatre, books and films, artists and writers have set out to capture how the vote has come to shape Britain. Some are poking fun at politicians and Brexit, and others are trying to set a more serious tone about the implications of the UK's decision to leave the EU.

While British photographer Martin Parr's new exhibition, Only Human, at the National Portrait Gallery in London, examines British identity in Brexit Britain, in Scotland, The National Theatre of Scotland will mark Britain's scheduled exit from the EU on 29 March, with what it describes as a politically charged performance on the same day.

The theatre is staging Dear Europe, where a group of artists will hold performances that respond to "this significant time in Europe's history".

"We at the National Theatre of Scotland believe that culture can ignite debate, allowing artists to respond to the seismic political moments that continue to define our lives," Jackie Wylie, artistic director and chief executive of the National Theatre of Scotland, said. "In response to these current times which sees us all contemplating our relationship to Europe, we have commissioned six personal artistic responses exploring pertinent themes including citizenship, borders, control, exports and migration."

Taking inspiration from Scotland's relationship to Europe and reflecting on the anticipated end of the country's membership to the EU, a collection of artists has produced six projects looking into Scotland's relationship with a particular EU country or with Europe as a whole.

Performances will include, Second Citizen, which is about Angus Farquhar's battle to remain a member of the EU,as hewrites to the heads of every member state seeking adoption. For the first time in 30 years Farquhar will perform on stage with Cameron Sinclair, telling that story, driven forward to an intensive percussive sound finale.

There is also Moving through Shadows, a film by Nima Sene and Daniel Hughes with concept by Adura Onashile, featuring Polish-Nigerian singer Ifi Ude, exploring the experience of people of colour in present-day Poland alongside that of the Polish community in Scotland. The film will be inspired by the civil rights "red experience" in Soviet-era Poland.

"Regardless of what March 29 brings we hope audiences will join us in what promises to be a playful night of theatrical surprises, offering cultural solidarity to all, in uncertain times," Wylie said.

The Cockpit theatre in London is hosting a Festival of Brexit through March, consisting of a series of short pieces in response to the theme Inside a Mass Hallucination. The venue said Festival of Brexit is a random series of events rather than an actual festival.

Stage productions include the 2017 production at the National Theatre, My Country: A Work in Progress that collated interviews with people nationwide on what they think and feel about their country.

These testimonials are then interwoven with speeches from party leaders from that time, by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, and director Rufus Norris.

Brexit: The Play was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Set in 2020, Brexit negotiations are still at a deadlock and the new prime minister must implement a master plan, if only he could remember it properly.

EU trade lawyer Chris Bryant wrote Brexit the Musical, which was also shown at Edinburgh Fringe, a comedy following the mishaps ofBoris Johnson and Michael Gove, and no one knows where the plans for Brexit are.

Brexit: The Uncivil War is a British television drama depicting the lead-up to the 2016 referendum from the point of view of Leave campaign director Dominic Cummings.

Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis brought back his Gollum character in the guise of British Prime Minister Theresa May, making fun of her Brexit plans in a short web video.

He depicts May as the split personality Gollum debating between leaving the EU and the people's vote.

Brexit has not just been played out on the stage or big screen, as many books on the subject, or based on it, have been released.

Guilty Men: Brexit Edition, by Cato the Younger, is based on the 1940 book of the same name. It destroyed the reputations of those responsible for appeasing Nazi Germany. The Brexit edition points the finger at the men and women guilty of leaving Brexit Britain in a near disaster.

Clean Brexit: Why leaving the EU still makes sense by Liam Halligan and Gerald Lyons argues why the UK must leave the stranglehold of the EU and look forward to new emerging markets.

Set just after the EU referendum, the novel Autumn,by Ali Smith, is about two friends – the 101-year-old Daniel and 32-year-old Elizabeth – as both look to the past and future as Britain stands divided.

Contact the writer at boleung@mail.chinadailyuk.com