By Rob Castell and Paul O'Mahony

'Why Not Us?' is a musical theatre project which playfully explores the blurred lines between myth and ancient history, as heroes and humans compete at the ancient Olympics for eternal fame, glory, freedom and love.

Thorough research and scholarship is combined with lightness of touch and an exciting new storyline to explore complex and profound questions about truth, identity and belonging.

In the coming two years we plan to work with scholars, musicians (embedding Greek rhythms both ancient and modern) and a team of producers and theatre artists to develop the work in time for a 2028 premiere.

Steeped in the stories of ancient Olympia but not beholden to them, creating a new legend that asks what happens when the Age of Heroes ends and humans are left to find their own solutions to life’s problems, Why Not Us? is a tale of love, competition and seeking to be free.

Rob Castell and Paul O’Mahony have collaborated on numerous theatrical projects, including Unmythable and Norsesome.

1. Heroes - The townspeople have a light-hearted debate about what truly makes a hero

2. Free Me - Tecmessa imagines a life where she is free to make her own choices

3. A Simple Symposium - an impromptu poetry challenge at the tavern forces everyone to confront their attitudes to love

4. On The Outside - Tecmessa discovers that she has more in common with the god of the underworld than she anticipated

5. The Story of How Things Could Be - Panos makes an impassioned plea to Hades to save the human race

6. Old Love - the ageing heroes Herakles & Hippolyta are finally able to share what they've been wanting to say to each other

7. A Matter of Love & Death - Finale

Why Not Us?

My dear friend Paul and I have been working on this new musical for years. It's an epic love story set in Ancient Greece, based loosely around the Orpheus myth but with plenty of room for other characters, references and adventures from that glorious age. More coming soon, here's six of our songs...

On The Outside

Old Love

Olympia the Musical - By Rob Castell Paul O'Mahony

Track notes below

1. Heroes - The townspeople gather and discuss who the real heroes are in society. Theseus, or the local plumber?

2. Free Me - Tecmessa imagines a world where she is free to make her own choices

3. A Simple Symposium - an impromptu poetry challenge in the tavern prompts a discussion about the nature of love

4. Someone Who Isn't Dead - perhaps Charon the Ferryman was always just... misunderstood?

5. On The Outside - Tecmessa discovers she has more in common with the god of the underworld than she anticipated

6. The Story of How Things Could Be - Panos makes an impassioned plea with Hades to keep the human race going

7.Old Love - Herakles & Hippolyta finally say what they've been wanting to say to each other

8. A Matter of Love & Death - Finale

Heroes

Free Me

A Simple Symposium

A Matter Of Love And Death

The Story Of How Things Could Be

Actor, songwriter, musical director. Solo EP 'Stories of Ourselves' released 2012. Songwriter/Performer for BAFTA-nominated and RTS award-winning CBBC show Officially Amazing. Winner of six Musical Theatre Network awards for Barbershopera. Represented by Wardlaw Banks Publishing. 

Why Not Us?

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