Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later
“Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later takes place two years after Julius Caesar failed to beware the Ides of March and got stabbed to death by a band of well-wishers. Now the assassins have been rounded up and slaughtered in battle, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief. But who’s in charge now?”
Written by David K. Barnes (Wooden Overcoats,* Doctor Who: Redacted*, Outliers), Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later takes listeners on a comedic journey through Ancient Rome in the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination. The story begins in the middle of a political crisis, with Mark Antony and Gaius Octavius attempting to run the country together. Really, really badly. Meanwhile, Octavius’ sister, Octavia, has far more pressing concerns, like pursuing a career in the theatre and charming the women of Rome, while Queen Cleopatra seizes the opportunity to squeeze every advantage possible from the crumbling empire. Oh, and there’s also pirates?!
Through Cry Havoc, Barnes set out to bring a fresh perspective to Rome’s history, a topic he has always loved. His university dissertation, in fact, was on I, Claudius, and how we view history through a contemporary lens. Cry Havoc does just that, dramatizing some of the lesser-told stories and making the era feel accessible from a modern perspective, even to those unfamiliar with it.
At its core, Cry Havoc is a sharp, fast-paced comedy about a group of deeply stressed people trying to make decisions—and failing royally. As one of Rusty Quill’s most ambitious projects to date, the series boasts a stellar ensemble cast and a brand-new director, delivering a witty and unpredictable take on history unlike anything else in audio fiction.
Interesting Facts
- David K Barnes wrote a script where Detective Columbo winds up in Ancient Rome and investigates the murder of Emperor Domitian.
- Cry Havoc shares a lot of cast members with The Magnus Protocol, for example Sarah Lambie, Ryan Hopevere-Anderson and Harry Roebuck.
Reviews
It’s Monty Python meets Old Harry’s Game - a spectacular, gorgeously produced, scored and performed comedy drama. Dialogue is witty and characters are distinct and charismatic, as we’ve come to expect from head writer David K. Barnes. Plus it’s queer (sapphic!) and seasoned with satire. A cathartic, joyful listen for anyone living in the chaos of 2023 or the fall of the Roman Republic. - Ella Watts
What a treat this podcast is. Not that I expected anything less from a show run by David K. Barnes, but I’m still in awe of how the writers managed to find a balance between comic silliness and more somber moments of social commentary. The cast is perfect to the last one-off role, the production is amazing, and the behind-the-scenes companion is a really nice bonus. - Podcast Addict
It has everything. Tension, political intrigue, drunken shenanigans, lesbians, phenomenal voice acting and excellent sound design. I didn’t think I’d like it this much, as I’m not much of a history buff, but truly you don’t need to know anything about Roman history to enjoy it.” - Podcast Addict
Merchandise
Find out more about Cry Havoc! Ask Questions Later and listen on the Rusty Quill Website.