A new play is on stage in Manchester, adapting football (i.e., soccer) players in a Roman setting: I, Keano.
As you'd expect, much like Keane's actual World Cup, there isn't any football in the play, which is set in ancient Roman times, with McCarthy turning into a general called Macartacus (see what they did there, almost sounds like Spartacus doesn't it?). The rest of the squad is made up of Quinness, Duffus, Keano The Younger, Shay Givennus, Harttus, etc, etc, as well as goalkeeping coach Packie Bonnerus.
Written by one of the writers of classic sitcom Father Ted, I, Keano doesn't really take sides in the conflict between Keano and Macartacus, preferring to make both of them (and absolutely everyone else involved) look utterly ridiculous. Particularly the head of the Federation, a bumbling drunken oaf who literally is called Ridiculus, while the scribes (journalists) are called names like Sanctimonius, Scandalus, Obsequius and Superfluous.
Keano is a headstrong, self-obsessed loner, who spends the play raging against the inadequacies of the preparations that Macartacus has arranged. There are no daggers for practice, Duffus and Keano The Younger (both played by children) are wearing rags because the proper kit hasn't arrived yet, and the drunken parties and feasts are not what Keano had in mind when he showed up, having had to row his way there using spoons because there weren't any oars.
The article cites another review, and also a game to play (no Roman content) at the theatre's website...
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