Natalie Casey says drama on rise of the far Right really is a play for today

Actress Natalie Casey says her new play exploring why the far Right is winning votes is “becoming more and more topical as days pass”.

The 34-year-old is starring in Albion by Chris Thompson, aimed at challenging liberal sensibilities.

The play explores national identity with a story set on karaoke night in an East End pub which is home to the fictional English Protection Army.

Casey, who starred in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Hollyoaks, said: “There are a lot of people in Britain who feel they’re not being listened to by the legitimate political parties and have started to think that maybe democracy is not so legitimate.

“When people feel they’re not represented, it opens up a vacuum which allows the far Right to slip in.”

She said Albion, which premieres tomorrow, examines “how the far Right have started to become more intelligent politically — while still spewing their appalling views”.

“This play will confuse people because they will agree with some of the views put forward and then feel dirty,” she said.

Chris Thompson, 34, a former social worker who lives in east London, said the play was sparked by seeing gay and lesbian rights banners on a far Right march.

He realised some of the Right “were beginning to embrace diversity” — contributing to an image which hid “something a bit more sinister underneath”.

He said: “I don’t think people will come out of this play converted to the far Right but what I didn’t want to do was write a play which just slams the far Right without seeking to understand them.

“If you label them xenophobes and racists immediately, you’re not speaking to the underlying concerns.”

Albion is at the Bush Theatre until October 25.