A play about Boris Johnson tries to find humour in Brexit

LONDON - Is Brexit a tragedy, a comedy -- or is it too soon to tell?

A new play running in London tries to grapple with the unfolding Brexit drama, and wring laughs from it at the same time.

"The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson" centres on a key figure in the saga: Britain's rumpled, Latin-spouting former foreign secretary.

The blond Conservative with the popular touch played a major role in persuading voters to back Brexit -- and could be Britain's next prime minister.

Johnson confirms today that "of course I'm going to go for it" in a contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May that's expected within months.

Playwright Jonathan Maitland says Johnson "was the one who made the difference between the 48 and the 52" -- the percentages for remaining and leaving respectively in the June 2016 referendum on EU membership.

Actor Will Barton, who plays Johnson, says it's easy to see his appeal: People "see what they think is authenticity" in Johnson's gaffes and bumbling demeanour -- whether it really is authenticity or skilled artifice is beside the point.

Maitland's play, running at London's Park Theatre until June 8th, contrasts Johnson's buffoonish exterior with the intensely ambitious politician underneath.

A lot has happened in real life since Maitland began working on the play last year.

In July, Johnson quit as foreign secretary to May's plan for Brexit. He has since become favourite to replace her when she leaves office -- likely within months.

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