Seven Drunken Nights The Story Of The Dubliners – 22 May 2026, Cast, Doncaster
Review by Claire Stanley.
‘Seven Drunken Nights’ at the Cast Theatre on Friday had me deep diving immediately into the world of The Dubliners. Their story, their music and their key people all got a look in and the audience were toe tapping on cue to their first rousing tune “The Wild Rover”. Quite literally the most famed wild Dubliner’s tune! The set was a friendly pub setting, (‘Paddy O Donoghue’s ), like hundreds of pubs in Ireland that have housed punters, musicians and buskers in their droves, this was the key setting for the Dubliner’s fate to unfold. This scenery was so convincing I felt like I had personally stepped into Ireland’s folk music scene and as the narrator (Ged Graham) aptly said “Come in, you’re very welcome”. Welcome for the whole evening, I did feel. Above the set was a large screen and it showed a variety of adverts for various well know Irish beverages such as Beamish and Murphy’s Stout. This was a friendly reminder of how The Dubliner’s tunes have not only entertained audiences and music lovers but have also supported Stout Sales through TV marketing in our lounges, over the decades.
Beginning the history of The Dubliners we are told that they began circa 1962 when in that decade, music in pubs was frowned upon. Ronny Drew had returned from Spain having learned the flamenco guitar and he held an acting job at the Gate Theatre where he met Barney McKenna. They established a musical partnership.. Along with Ciaran Bourke and Luke Kelly the Ronnie Drew Ballad Group was formed. A great “ballad boom” was occurring during that time depicting tales from Irish navvies working on building sites for large construction projects as World War 2 broke out. This inspired the Dubliner’s hit “McAlpine’s Fusiliers”. The performance of this song deserves a favourable mention as the story telling builds up to such a jaunty tempo that you cannot help but jig to the melody. It was a huge very well received crowd pleaser, -lighting up the room. We are reminded that the band’s mainstay was of course O’Donoghue’s. It helped hone their unique sound with their collective making O’Donoghue’s a famed Irish Folk Music spot. Shortly after, inspired by a James Joyce novel, the permanent band name The Dubliners was chosen.
We are soon taken on the journey that showed the band members recording their first album and at this juncture the “Recording” visual was placed on the overhead screen to depict a studio, the cast members moving from the bar in the pub, crowding themselves below the gold discs lining the walls of the rest of the set. This was a clever continuation without having to abandon completely, the O’Donoghue’s pub scene. I also really appreciated the visual on the large screen of the Top of the Pop’s logo to illustrate chart topping title song of the tour “Seven Drunken Nights”. This song was performed brilliantly and was played as the “peak of the show”, but I have to say I favoured three other tunes that I felt were the songs of the Night. Said songs had the audience utterly engrossed . I’ll Tell My Ma”, “The Leavers of Liverpool” and “Poor Paddy on the Railway”. The latter being sang by a most accomplished singer in orange britches! Anyone loving the Dubliners knows that their popular lyrics of this toe tapper states “…my corduroy breeches I put on…!”
It has to be said that Ged Graham and his team has helped create a most lively and fitting tribute to The Dubliners and as I was lucky enough to see Ged perform on Friday I can say that this tour is in safe hands. The technical sound was excellent and the rest of the cast were equally as impressive. A huge shout out to the fiddle player (Aidan Burke) who not only played said instrument to perfection but was nimble and light on his feet, giving an effortless physical and musical performance. The guitar players and two banjo artists also helped construct and ornament a melodic portrayal. Having known very little of The Dubliner’s work before tonight’s review, I left the theatre informed and suitably lifted in mood! Compliments and thanks to all, on a spirited and stimulating show!
