Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones writes musical Celtic Exodus

Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones has written a musical, Celtic Exodus. The musical is produced by Larry Bass and John Murphy, directed by Mark Lambert, with choreography by Jason O’Neil.

Talking about the musical, Warfield commented: “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.”

Celtic Exodus - The Musical will open for a special premiere run at the Complex Arts Centre in Smithfield from January 22 - 25 next year.

Warfield considers the show to be his legacy and a gift to his fans, with an ensemble cast of 20, it is a musical and dance celebration of ‘Irishness’.

The story begins in 1823 with the genesis of a bitter feud between Ned ‘Rinca’ McDonagh and Big Dan ‘Buckey’ in Kilturk. 20 years later, Big Dan’s daughter Siobhan is betrothed to the idiotic son of the local Shebeen owner, prompting her to flee to the hills where she falls in love with the rebel - and Ned McDonagh’s son - Sean, is on the run for the murder of a land agent. It is a tale of unfaltering bravery, resilience and true Irish spirit.

Then, in 1845, as fortune seems to favour the star-crossed lovers, famine hits. As the village starves and suffers under Fitzwilliam, the vengeful new land agent in town, the people of Kilturk rally in an act of rebellion.

Denis Grindell plays Sean McDonagh. Commenting on his role, he said: “Performing as Sean in Celtic Exodus is bringing me home. After all, that is what Irish songs and stories do. No matter where you are, they bring you home. When it hits the West End, I want to be there”.

Clelia Murphy, who plays Kate McDonagh, said: “If you tell one person’s story, you tell everyone’s. Well, this is the story of our nation. The suffering, the struggle, the triumph of the Irish spirit. And when you look at what is happening in the world today, it’s story that needs to be told.”

Tickets are available now, and cost €25 each. You can find them here.