New musical written by Wolfe Tones member to open in January
Kenneth Fox
A new musical written by Brian Warfield of the The Wolfe Tones will premiere at the end of next month.
Celtic Exodus – The Musical opens for a special premiere run at the Complex Arts Centre, Smithfield from January 22nd to 25th. 2025.
Brian considers this show his legacy and his gift to his fans; with an ensemble cast of 20, this is a music and dance celebration of ‘Irishness’ from a proud Irishman.
Produced by Larry Bass (ShinAwiL) and John Murphy, directed by Mark Lambert, and with choreography by former Riverdance lead Jason O’Neil, tickets are available now from €25 each.
A story of unfaltering bravery, resilience and true Irish spirit, with a forbidden romance at its heart, Celtic Exodus – The Musical begins in 1823 with the genesis of a bitter feud between Ned ‘Rinca’ McDonagh and Big Dan ‘Buckey’ in Kilturk.
Fast forward 20 years, Big Dan’s daughter Siobhan is betrothed to the idiot son of the local Shebeen owner.
She flees to the hills where she falls in love with the rebel – and Ned McDonagh’s son – Sean, who is on the run for the murder of a land agent.
But in 1845, and just as fortune seems to favour the star-crossed lovers, the famine hits the land.
As the village of starves and suffering under the thumb of Fitzwilliam, the vengeful new land agent in town, the people of Kilturk rally in a desperate act of rebellion against the might of an empire. But will Sean and Siobhan be forced to sacrifice their own future to lead their people to a brighter fate?
Denis Grindel who plays Sean McDonagh has extensive West End experience playing Jimmy Rabbitte in The Commitments and is currently the lead in new TG4 drama Crá.
Clelia Murphy will take on the mantel of playing Kate McDonagh. Clelia is a household name with an 18-year stint on Fair City and contestant on Dancing with the Stars as well as extensive stage experience.
Joining the cast is Morgan C. Jones, who plays The Matchmaker. A sought-after voice artist, he is currently appearing in A Streetcar Named Desire at Smock Alley.
Also appearing in Celtic Exodus is emerging talent Emmet Farrell (Fitzwilliam), newcomer Aoife Fitzpatrick (Siobhan) and Moses Murphy (Father Jim).
Poet, actor and author Seamus O’Rourke plays Ned McDonagh. Known for his poetry readings on the Late Late Show he has just completed a 20-date sold out tour of his self-penned show ‘Indigestion’.
Mark O’Regan is a veteran of stage and screen, most recently appearing alongside Liam Neeson in ‘The Land of Saints and Sinners’ and will play Big Dan ‘Buckey’.
Brian Warfield says: “This is my opus, my legacy. We are a nation of singers and storytellers and yet our own story remains virtually untold. Time to put that right.”
You buy tickets for the show here.