Show: Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners
Location: The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
Date: Wednesday 20 October 2021
Running Time: 135 Minutes
Performers: Ged Graham, Danny Muldoon, Billy Barton, Paddy Ryan and Conor Elliot
Production Companies: Prestige Productions
Writer/Director: Ged Graham
Background
Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners, charts the rise to fame of Ireland’s most famous folk band. It’s a musical journey through the career of its legendary members, Ronnie Drew Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciaran Bourke and John Sheahan.
The show takes its title from The Dubliners 1967 song. It was so controversial that it was banned from the radio in Ireland. Despite this (or maybe because of it?) the group were catapulted into global success.
Analysis
It was great to be back at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion. There was a lively, busy crowd looking forward to the craic. The staff were excellent at managing the bar and directing people to their seats ready for the entertainment to begin.
The stage at the Floral was laid out as an old fashioned bar. Behind it, atmospheric black and white images and video footage of Dublin’s famous O’Donoghue’s bar were displayed on a large screen.
The cast of Seven Drunken Nights boasts talented, excellent musicians and singers in their own right. Ged Graham, Danny Muldoon, Billy Barton (who we wanted to take home with us), Paddy Ryan and Conor Elliot were introduced to the audience. As well as Ged narrating 50 years of history of the Dubliners from their first session at O’Donaghues, they performed the many songs that made the band a household name.
During the show, Billy Barton (89) related how his father Tommy Barton, known as ‘The Gentleman Busker’, was the first person to be invited to play his banjo in O’Donoghue’s following a ban on live music. Moreover, Billy was even given his first tin whistle from Ciaran Bourke, a member of The Dubliners, while waiting for his dad outside the pub!
The band opened with a two-song medley of The Black Velvet Band and The Wild Rover. Then another classic, The Irish Rover. The Leaving of Liverpool, McAlpine’s Fusiliers, Finnegan’s Wake, and the lovely ballad, In The Rare Old Times followed. In addition, lively jigs and reels, all against the backdrop of old black and white images and footage of Dublin.
Summary
This is a real feel-good show. The crowd clapped, sang and truly appreciated this get together, consequently making you feel like you were all out on a night out together.
Other favourites, Whisky in the Jar, Dirty Old Town and I’ll tell me Ma were performed in the second half of the show. Finally, the audience gave a well-deserved standing ovation. This was a true celebration of a simpler time with honest, timeless folk music.
Catch this show if you can, it’s great for all ages, especially the young at heart!
Target Audience: 12+
Content: Narration and Folk Music
Recommendation: Yes
Overall Rating: 9/10 Uplifting
