Seven Drunken Nights - The Story of The Dubliners

The Dominion Theatre

Irish folk songs, beers and music history. It brings families, friends and strangers with Irish roots together. You can appreciate the love that fills the room.

This show is an experience and as an audience member part of the show is watching the audience members interacting. The content on stage and the surroundings elevates your connection to the show. Your experience also depends on whether you have any Irish roots.

It is a two act show that takes you from the 1960s to around the late 90s on a brief trip down Irish music history lane. It tells the story of 'The Dubliners'. The main character is a 77-year-old man, and it feels like he is telling the story to friends, family and regulars in an iconic Irish pub 'O'Donoghue's'. It's a love letter to Irish heritage, Dublin and bringing people together. The length of the show could be reduced, as there is not exactly a gripping storyline or character development. You can appreciate the love of culture, the audience interactions/reactions for the first half, but if you do not know any of the songs and you aren't moved by a music history this show perhaps won't be as enjoyable to you as the audience members around you. Your hands will hurt from clapping along.

On the stage is the set-up of a bar, instruments and flowing drinks for the hard-working performers. The beers resemble Guinness, enhancing the Irish themes of the show and the array of instruments help you understand what is needed to play the Irish folk songs. This design helps give the piece its warm, welcoming environment and the street signs make you feel like you've been transported to Dublin. To get yourself more immersed, feel a part of the community it is best to watch it with a drink in hand and if you feel like it maybe a beer! The staging is strong, sets the scene and creates a welcoming environment.

Cast members all play numerous roles, but most of the show they are regulars in the pub. The characters are very personable, they interact with the audience throughout the show, get them clapping and singing along. Enhancing the welcoming atmosphere. The main character played by Ged Graham narrates the show and takes the company along the timeline of 'The Dubliners'. His acting is warming, open and everything he says you believe. Luc Power plays one of the grandsons and his character is quiet and helps narrate the story. It would make the piece stronger if the two had moments together and Power's character was a bit more playful/troublesome to show how comfortable he is with his grandad. The cast all have beautiful voices that surround the theatre with loud, folk music tunes.

The set up of the show resembles a concert. Each section is met with folk songs, the songs don't tell a story or display a character's feelings; they help with showing the development of the music over the years. It's difficult to get lost in the content of the show, because there's no gripping events, cliffhangers, changes or climatic moments. It's difficult to resonate with the story, although you're being told about new characters coming into the band's work, if you don't have any connection or even know the characters being spoken about there is a barrier between you and the story. If you didn't have any previous knowledge of the band, know their music and know the places they talk about; you can't immerse yourself or connect like the audience members around you.

This show has a target audience and it's hard to get involved, when you don't know any of the songs or have even been to Ireland to appreciate the work that has gone into the staging to create an Irish pub. This limits my personal experience of the show, but those around me clearly adored and cherished the evening. It is beautiful to watch the audience filled with family, friends and lovers of all things Irish around you reacting, singing, getting excited about their favourite songs playing and the memories they reignite. The show would benefit getting the rest of the audience to fall in love with the songs, perhaps teach them the chorus and it would bring the whole audience together. There are some beautiful moments, and the audience participation is beautiful to watch, but it is very long and hard to connect with if you didn't already know the songs in the show. However, it is a beautiful show to appreciate Irish culture, the importance of community and the impact music can have on people.