Cornwall is at the tipping point and one man confused by it all is Seamas Carey. In fact, the actor, writer and musician is so confused by the current state of Cornwall that he’s penned a one-man comedy exploring what it’s like to be a Cornish nationalist.

For the past year, Seamas has been working on a three-part project – as well as the new show, Help! I think I’m a nationalist, there’s also a ten episode podcast on the housing crisis, social issues, hidden history and culture wars in contemporary Cornwall, and an upcoming photo exhibition.

He told CornwallLive: “Exactly a year ago I started asking people about what it was like to be Cornish and Cornish identity. I became obsessed with not just the good ones but also by the bad ones. Being proud of a place, you should be honest about what’s not so great about it too.”

Read more: Life in Cornwall’s most remote area is like stepping back in time

“I wanted to talk about the gentrification of Cornwall now that I can no longer afford to live in Falmouth where I grew up. Am I gentrifying myself in Camborne now that I live there and love sourdough bread and that I’m an artist?”

The result of 50 interviews with household Cornish names, such as Will Coleman of The Man Engine fame, as well as historically unheard voices, is The Reason Why podcast which is on all major streaming sites.

Taking an in-depth look at Cornwall now, as told by the people who live there, Seamas talks about identity, rural racism and xenophobia with everyone from second home owners to Cornish nationalists, from Black Voices Cornwall to the Cornwall’s transgender community.

“I wanted to know what it was like to be queer in Cornwall or to be a person of color…and not a Methodist,” Seamas added.

Following the podcasts, he wrote Help! I Think I’m a Nationalist, his solo comedy show.

“I became fascinated with what it was like to be a Cornish Nationalist. They always seemed like people who didn’t trust the English, which I never really understood. But when I looked the story, I was like ‘wow!’ – I could see why.

“I have to admit I was a bit nervous about meeting them at first because that word, nationalist, made me feel uncomfortable. I went to an arts retreat and there were artists and actors of London there. As soon as I said I was writing one about nationalism, everyone fell silent – it was as if I had ***ed in the room. They had no no idea what Cornish nationalism and identity is.”

Seamas added: “In about five minutes of chatting to some Cornish nationalists I realized they were quite left-leaning, liberal and progressive, anti-Tory and pro-EU people. But ‘nationalism’ means exclusion and xenophobia for many people.

“One of them told me that you have to be an internationalist to be a nationalist; you have to celebrate the rest of the world before you celebrate your own place. So I wondered if I was really a Cornish nationalist and if I wanted to share my love of Cornwall in an inclusive way.”

As is often the case these days, Seamas has earned a troll as a result of this work. “So I may be a Cornish nationalist, but I don’t want to be associated with someone like him,” he said.

In the show, Seamas’ character is nearly driven to madness trying to figure out Cornwall as property prices skyrocket, population shifts and tensions rise between Facebook spats, clashes on country roads and rants in the pub. He wants Cornwall to be more welcoming and inclusive, but is watching ‘country’ money sow division and suspicion.

Could closing borders and nationalism be the answer? Where is the line between pride and power? What happens when it all goes too far?

The basic point might be “Should Seamas have a Cornwall bumper sticker on his car”?

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To help! I Think I’m A Nationalist is directed by Agnieszka Blonska – “she’s from Poland and is naturally against any form of nationalism”, Seamas added – and is shooting a version being made in Cornwall in February and March, suitable for all 18 years and over. All shows are “pay what you can” – details here.

where you can see it

February 11 – The Old Bodmin Library

12th – The old library of Bodmin

19th – Town Hall of St Just

23rd – Royal Cornish Museum, Truro

24 – CAST Café, Helston (food available)

25 – Newquay Orchard

26 – The Centre, Newlyn

March 8 – Camborne Liberal Hall

9 – Kresen Kernow, Redruth

10 – The Cornish Bank, Falmouth