Roscommon artist delighted to bring his acclaimed musical theatre production home

A Roscommon artist is delighted to be bringing his acclaimed musical theatre production to his home county this weekend.

As part of a nationwide tour, the musical ‘Oliver Cromwell is Really Very Sorry’ will be performed this Saturday, November 4th at 8 p.m. and tells the story of the man the English don’t remember, and the Irish will never forget in an unforgettable way.

The winner of Best Ensemble at Dublin Fringe Festival, the musical, which features songs such as ‘Puritanism’ and ‘800 years’, explores English colonialism in Ireland framed by an archeological dig in search of Cromwell’s missing head.

Award-winning artist Anthony Keigher, also known by his alter-ego Xnthony, will take to the stage as Oliver Cromwell, one of the most hated figures in Irish history, for a night of pure carnage, legendary pop anthems and bloody historical re-enactments.

But as Anthony told the Herald Cromwell is very sorry. Really.

“It is very exciting to be bringing it home, I brought all my shows back to Roscommon,” he said. “And I think this is the one I am most proud of. Oliver Cromwell is puritanical, but the show is definitely not. It is very high energy.” He said growing up in the county, he was heavily influenced by Roscommon's musical, art, and theatre traditions. A former CBS Roscommon student, he also pointed out that studying history for the Leaving Cert at the school was very important when writing this musical, with fellow writers Sam Curtis Lindsay and ÓDÚ.

“We didn’t want to undermine the actions the man took. There’s no denying that he did awful things. But because this is our history, we felt there was some leeway to play around with the history and try and subvert it. Find lightness and relief from the horror,” said Anthony.

“In our show a lot of it is based on historical truth. Cromwell went to Cambridge as a student; he was an actor and wanted to be an actor. Our show starts off with Cromwell as a spoiled, only boy, who is a real messer. A bit of an Eton Boris Johnson clown. Then his father dies and that’s when responsibility hits. He has to go home and become the head of the family. That’s when his life changes.” He explained that Cromwell came to politics late in life, was a skilled orator and canny self-promoter.

“He used Ireland as a way to leverage power in England,” he said. “He becomes really maniacal and evil and then extremely worried about how he will be perceived in the future. That’s when the twist comes in and he says I did so much for Ireland. It’s deluded.” Anthony, who divides his time between London and Roscommon, said he believes that the show would be received well in England.

“I think it would be slightly controversial for some and but he a huge learning curve for others. In England, Oliver Cromwell is seen as tolerant, a real modernising figure. But here he is seen as violent and hateful. He has such a double meaning for so many.” Anthony, who is an artist in residence at Roscommon Arts Centre, thanked the centre for the huge support it has given him.

“I was really lucky to get an award last April to come over and work in Roscommon Arts Centre, and they have been so supportive, it’s unbelievable, through the years and especially in the last year. They have been supporting my work for ten years,” he said.

“Also in Roscommon, I get time and space to write and think, and have a pause from the madness of London. I get told to get in my lane and get to work,” he added with a laugh. “I always want to come back to Roscommon, to hold it very tight to me, because it offers a lot of things that maybe being in the city doesn’t.” To book tickets for the 90-minute show, please visit www.roscommonartscentre.ie.