As we head closer towards festival week, we continue our preview of artists appearing on this year’s bill. Today it’s the turn of the incredibly versatile Seamas Carey.
Seamas Carey grew up and still lives in Cornwall as a multi-instrumentalist (accordion, piano, double bass, bagpipes), composer, performer, choir leader, musical director, puppeteer, silent film pianist and piano tuner. Although best known for his podcast series The Reason Why, a humourous and thought-provoking exploration of the social issues and culture wars of contemporary Cornwall, he also conducts Cornwall’s first alternative male voice choir Men Are Singing.
Cornwall is at a tipping point. House prices soar, the population shifts, tensions rise. Some people see it as a separate nation, whilst others see it as a prime holiday destination and playground for the rich. Seamas has watched a wave of gentrification sweep through his rural hometown. There’s nowhere to live, yet second homes stand empty. He wishes Cornwall was more welcoming and inclusive, but watches “up country” money sow division and suspicion. Could closing borders and nationalism be the answer? Where’s the line between pride and power? What happens when it all goes too far? Seamas needs help. He needs your help.
HELP I THINK I’M A NATIONALIST is a sell-out comedy show on identity, second homes, xenophobia and bagpipes. Directed by Agnieszka Blonska, the show was created in spring 2022 and first performed to an entirely sold out run of 27 shows in Cornwall before touring England, with sell out runs at Bristol Old Vic and Bath Theatre Royal, then a month-long stint at The Royal Lyceum as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, before continuing to tour all over the UK.
Remember – anyone with a ticket to this show also has access to Culture Vannin’s creative conversation with Seamas at 5pm on Tuesday 25th June at St Catherine’s hall in Port Erin: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-reason-why-more-tickets-904651295377?aff=oddtdtcreator
Seamas is a great talent and a compelling performer. Do not miss out! Book your tickets online: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/erinartscentre
Here’s a great trailer for Seamas’s one man show Help! I Think I’m A Nationalist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9s76AwpRY
Here’s a clip of Seamas with his alternative male voice choir, Men Are Singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv7gkWFw9R0
And here’s a 5 min video about Seamas working as a musician and composer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGTDzwR9Q7k