🎭 Seven Drunken Nights
📍 Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7AQ
🗓 Sunday 23rd March 2025
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HIGH ENERGY NOSTALGIA
SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS tells the story of the 50 year career of Irish folk band The Dubliners and features many of the group's greatest hits including The Irish Rover, The Fields of Athenry, Molly Malone, and the titular Seven Drunken Nights - a song that was a hit in the UK but was banned in Ireland!
The show is led by creator Ged Graham who gives a powerhouse performance. His vocals are mesmerising and as his beautiful tone filled the huge auditorium at the Dominion it was like recieving a warm vocal hug. At 77 he shows no signs of slowing down and his passion for the music shone through as he narrated the story of The Dubliners. We even learn of his own personal interactions with members of the group which somehow gives a cozy feeling to the proceedings.
The staging and direction works beautifully here and manages to create an intimacy like nothing I've experienced before in such a large space. It's as if we really are in a bar listening to stories and enjoying a jam session with friends.
Clapping and singing along is encouraged and there's no doubt that everyone is there to have a good time.
Over the 50 year there were 11 members of the band, and each one of them gets a mention, and there are pulchritudinous tributes to Luke Kelly and Ciarán Bourke. During one scene you could have heard a pin drop as the entire venue bathed in respectful mourning and reflection, led by an exquisite performance from this incredible company.
There is not a weak link in the cast and their energy is infectious. Luc Power is a joyfully expressive performer with fantastic vocals. Lead vocals also come from Aidan Keene and Peet Jackson who are sensational.
The company give a real masterclass of musicianship and they really hold you in awe of their talent. Aidan Burke plays the fiddle as if the instrument is an extension of himself and Conor Kenny rounds off the sound with precision.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lifelong fan of The Dubliners or if this is your first experience of their music, you're guaranteed to be on your feet in ecstasy by the end of the night. This is feel-good fun at its very best.
Regular readers of mine will know how much I love the technical aspects of a production and everything here from the costumes and set to the lighting and sound were perfection. It can be difficult for touring shows to play in a huge venue such as this and lighting and sound can sometimes suffer because of this but nothing could be further from the truth with SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS. There is obviously a team who know exactly what they're doing working tirelessly behind the scenes.
SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS is touring the UK and Ireland until the end of September. Click here to head to the show's website and find the complete list of tour dates.
The team will be back at the Dominion on Sunday 23rd November with their festive offering A FAIRYTALE FOR CHRISTMAS. Click here to check out all the information and to book tickets for a Christmas show like no other!
Neill Kovacic-Clarke
All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.
My ticket for this performance of Seven Drunken Nights was gifted by Chloe Nelkin Consulting who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.
CAST LIST:
Ged Graham - Narrator / Vocals / Guitar; Luc Power - Narrator / Vocals / Guitar; Aidan Keene - Narrator / Vocals / Five String Banjo; Peet Jackson - Vocals / Guitar / Tenor Banjo; Aidan Burke - Fiddle; Conor Kenny - Tenor Banjo / Whistles; Dylan Graham - Supporting Artist
RUNNING TIME (approx):
2 hours 20 minutes, including interval
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Strobe lighting; Loud music
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