Step Behind The Stage
Seven Drunken Nights
New Theatre, Peterborough - 04/04/24
Review by Daniel Marshall
Last night Peterborough was transformed into Dublin, most notably O’Donoghue’s Bar, as Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners came to town, turning the New Theatre into one great big Irish session.
This show tells the story of how Ireland’s favourite “sons”, The Dubliners, came to earn that nickname, exploring their cultural impact across both Ireland and the wider world. Unlike many other biographical shows that rely on imitation, at no point in this show did any actor claim to be one of The Dubliners. Instead, the show calls on a series of narrators to tell The Dubliners’ stories, whilst recalling other tales from Dublin’s session era. The show also explores the personal impact “The Lads” had on its cast members, creating a truly unique celebration of music. Seven Drunken Nights truly captures the essence of Irish culture, sharing this brilliance with audiences worldwide.
From the get-go all actors on stage were keen to get the audience involved, with all in attendance clapping and singing along throughout the night, creating an inclusive show that made everyone feel involved. The musicality was top tier, with harmonies as good as they come and guitars, banjos and fiddles being played to perfection. Across the night there were an array of group and solo songs, creating an ever-changing dynamic that kept the show fresh throughout. Many of the group performances radiated the sense of togetherness that comes with Irish folk music, with the expected craic often being apparent too.
However, much like The Dubliners’ career, the show was not all fun and joy. A number of poignant, emotional and reflective moments were showcased, often being used to pay tribute to the members of The Dubliners who have sadly passed. The most memorable of these was the tear-jerking performance of ‘The Town I Loved So Well’ by the show’s writer and director Ged Graham. Ged’s vocals were as stunning as they were impassioned, showing just what this great band means to him and so many others.
The formatting and pacing of the show was perfect. It was never afraid to touch on the sadder moments, but ensured they were always followed by more feel-good moments, which is the true beauty that comes with The Dubliners’ music. One moment you would find yourself in tears of sorrow, and within minutes they would be tears of laughter. The chemistry between all seven men on stage was palpable, and it made the funnier moments even funnier. I have never seen clapping be made so funny.
Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners is a truly unique experience, blurring the lines between musical, concert and biography. If you asked me to describe which category it fell into, I’m not sure I’d be able to, and I truly think that adds to the beauty of this production. This is more than just a jukebox featuring someone’s songs, or an easy script impersonating an artist as you follow their exact life story. This is a heartfelt production that is as emotional as it is educational. This is the perfect show to remember The Dubliners by, as much as it is a display of the transformative nature of Irish folk music.
Cast on the Night:
Ged Graham – Narrator / Acoustic Guitar / Vocals
Adam Evans – Narrator / Acoustic Guitar / Vocals
Tim Landers – Narrator / Vocals
Aidan Keene – Narrator / Vocals / 5-string banjo
Peet Jackson – Tenor banjo