The world’s biggest celebration of The Dubliners returns in 2026 with its biggest tour yet, in
celebration of the production’s 10th anniversary. Over the last decade, Seven Drunken Nights
has become the globe’s biggest and best-loved tribute to one of Ireland’s most iconic bands,
earning 1,000 standing ovations from audiences and offering fans a chance to relive the glory
days or to discover them for the first time
Review by Stephen Gilchrist
One of the great privileges of being asked to review the performing arts is cultural nourishment. Not just nourishment but education. Every day you learn something new and see or listen to something that may have passed you by. And so it was with ‘7 Drunken Nights: The Story of The Dubliners.’ Even in my long life, Irish folk music has in fact bypassed me, and apart from a rousing rendition of “The Rising of the Moon” an Irish nationalist ballad featured in the 1907 play of the same name by Lady Gregory in which I was involved at school, this style of music was not something that I had previously appreciated.
And so it was with some anticipation mixed with trepidation that I visited The New Wimbledon Theatre to see the show. Apparently, it has been touring globally for 10 years and is currently on a one-nighter whistle stop tour of the United Kingdom.
The show which consists of 6 exceptionally versatile vocalists and instrumentalists is set in a well-dressed pub in the back streets of Dublin. in fact the design of this otherwise quite basic show was both elegant, interesting and colourful with its videography, projections of old Dublin effective lighting (lit by Alistair Penman). And so the cast sit around nonchalantly drinking and telling us the story of The Dubliners which start starts in the early 1960s, During the following decades the band grew, attracted a global audience, lost some of its members and gained new ones and in the late 60s contemporized their catalogue with the assistance of Phil Coulter the hit songwriter who wrote top ten hits for among others Cliff Richard and Sandy Shaw, as well as a having a hit song themselves- the title number of the show, a wonderful rhythmic novelty song about a gullible Irishman who accepts his wife’s explanation for suspicious activity around the matrimonial bedroom.
The instrumental line-up includes three guitars and two banjos and an exceptional fiddle. The voices are strong; the instrumentalization is wicked and the enthusiasm practically unbearable. The show oozes an easy self-effacing Irish charm which comes with a heavy dose of Irish whimsy and nostalgic reminiscences of an Ireland past and the Dublin of James Joyce, Brendan Behan and the like. Think Val Doonican topped up with ‘Finian’s Rainbow.’
The songs, both original Irish folk songs and those written for the band express joy, sorrow and hope, and navigate both historical and present-day experiences which could only emanate from Ireland. Thes how is largely narrated by its creator and artistic director, 76-year-old Ged Graham [whose voice appears not to reflect his age], although all the performers have the chance to shine vocally and instrumentally. Particularly impressive was Luke Power whose vocals and guitar work was superb as well as the fiddle playing of Aidan Burke, who leads practically every number with skill and versatility.
In truth, I felt a bit left out, as if there was a party to which I had not been invited. The packed house appeared to know every number of which there were too many to count, the words to each song and expressed their pleasure by often accompanying the band clapping dancing and yelping with hoots of excitement. The whole narrative of the history of The Dubliners was completely new to me but the rest of the audience appeared to not only know the names thrown about during the story but worship them.
It was an evening of unbridled joy, enthusiasm, and good-natured drinking both on stage and in the audience, and one of sheer musicality. In fact, as I have already said, it was truly a celebration and a party to which I would hope to be invited again.
Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners
Running Time 140 minutes
Age Guidance Suitable for all ages
Website https://sevendrunkennights.com/
Socials @7drunkennights
Cast:
Narrator/Vocals/Guitar Ged Graham (selected shows) Narrator/Vocals/Guitar Luc Power Narrator/Vocals/Guitar/Bodhran Eoghan Burke (selected shows)
Narrator/Vocals/Bodhran Shane Morgan (selected shows) Narrator/Vocals/Five String Banjo Aidan Keane Guitar/Tenor Banjo/Vocals Peet Jackson Tenor Banjo/Whistles Conor Kenny Supporting Actor Dylan Graham Fiddle Aidan Burke
Creatives:
Creative Director Ged Graham
Musical Director Adam Evans
Sound and Lighting Designer Alistair Penman
Executive Director Ross Mills
Tour Dates
10th March 2026 Bridlington Spa, South Marine Drive, Bridlington, YO15 3JH https://www.bridspa.com/event-details/?entry=00-sdn26
11th – 12th March 2026 Lichfield Garrick, Castle Dyke, Lichfield, WS13 6HR https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/seven-drunken-nights
13th March 2026 Cliffs Pavilion (Southend), Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA https://trafalgartickets.com/cliffs-pavilion-southend/en-GB/event/music/seven-drunken-nights-tickets
14th March 2026 Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4GP https://everyonetheatres.com/whats-on/seven-drunken-nights-2/
15th March 2026 Manchester Opera House, 3 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP https://www.manchester-theatre.co.uk/shows/opera-house-manchester/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
17th March 2026 Theatre Royal Wakefield, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE https://www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/whats-on/
19th March 2026 Eden Court Inverness, Bishop’s Road, Inverness, IV3 5SA https://eden-court.co.uk/event/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
20th March 2026 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3NY https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/2/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
21st March 2026 Caird Hall, City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BB https://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/culture/caird-hall/whats-on/event/34359
24th March 2026 Mansfield Palace Theatre, Leeming Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 1NG https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre/events/event/4332/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
25th March 2026 The Alexandra Theatre (New Alex), Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, B5 4DS https://www.birmingham-theatre.co.uk/shows/alexandra-theatre/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
26th March 2026 Heythrop Park, Enstone, Oxfordshire, OX7 6HH https://www.warnerhotels.co.uk/hotels/heythrop-park-hotel/entertainment/
27th March 2026 Kings Theatre Southsea, 24 Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 2QJ https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/whatson-event/seven-drunken-nights/
28th March 2026 Chatham Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4AS https://www.medwayticketslive.co.uk/event/Seven-Drunken-Nights-The-Story-Of-The-Dubliners
29th March 2026 King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JW https://www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk/theatre/whats-on/music/seven-drunken-nights/
31st March 2026 Edinburgh Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/edinburgh-playhouse/
1st April 2026 Hull City Hall, Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3RQ https://www.hulltheatres.co.uk/theatre-events/seven-drunken-nights
2nd April 2026 De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU https://www.demontforthall.co.uk/event/seven-drunken-nights/
3rd April 2026 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG https://www.aylesbury-theatre.co.uk/shows/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
4th April 2026 Princess Theatre, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1SE https://www.princestheatre.co.uk/event?i=873675367
7th April 2026 New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/new-wimbledon-theatre/
8th April 2026 Princess Theatre, Torbay Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5EZ https://www.torquay-theatre.co.uk/venues/princess-theatre-torquay
9th April 2026 Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street, Swansea, SA1 3QJ https://www.swanseagrand.co.uk/article/1495/Whats-on
10th April 2026 Frome Memorial Theatre, Christchurch Street West, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1EB https://fromememorialtheatre.org.uk/shows/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/
11th April 2026 Granville Theatre, Victoria Parade, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8DG https://www.thegranvilletheatre.com/whatson/seven-drunken-nights
12th April 2026 Liverpool Empire Theatre, 1 Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE https://www.liverpool-theatre.co.uk/shows/liverpool-empire/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners
14th April 2026 Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Avenue, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5AL https://www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk/shows/seven-drunken-nights-2026
16th April 2026 New Victoria Theatre, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/new-victoria-theatre/
17th April 2026 Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2LT https://www.gatehousetheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/seven-drunken-nights/
18th April 2026 New Theatre Cardiff, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3LN https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB/whats-on
19th April 2026 Reading Hexagon Theatre, Queens Walk, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7UA https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/seven-drunken-nights-1
21st April 2026 Sunderland Empire, 4-5 High Street West, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR1 3EX https://www.sunderland-theatre.co.uk/venues/sunderland-empire
22nd April 2026 Regent Theatre, Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1AP https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21761704680&gbraid=0AAAAADyYT1Nzo_UYeX9Rv59LvNeLLjgt0&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qHEBhCDARIsALYKFNPB5_9IZpH4fHUnIfllxe9IDLnpZF9i1a4U5uXONVpciiVdj7SiRmAaAitSEALw_wcB
23rd April 2026 Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 1QN https://trafalgartickets.com/wyvern-theatre-swindon/en-GB/event/music/seven-drunken-nights-tickets
24th April 2026 Worthing Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PX https://wtm.uk/events/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners-2/
25th – 26th April 2026 Jersey Opera House, Gloucester Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4UF https://www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk/events/
28th April 2026 Lincoln Theatre Royal, Clasketgate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 1ES https://www.theatreroyal.com/whats-on/
29th April 2026 Tewkesbury Roses Theatre, Barton Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 5PB https://www.rosestheatre.org/events/seven-drunken-nights-2
30th April 2026 York Theatre Royal (York Opera House), St Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/whatson/
1st May 2026 Weston Playhouse Theatre, Burlington Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1HP
https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/playhouse-theatre/whats-on/seven-drunken-nights
2nd May 2026 Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall, The Leas, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2DZ https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/leas-cliff-hall/
3rd May 2026 London Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London, W1D 7EZ https://www.dominiontheatre.com/whats-on
5th May 2026 Bridgwater McMillan Theatre, High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BL https://www.mcmillantheatre.com/events/seven-drunken-nights—the-story-of-the-dubliners-870/
7th May 2026 The Hawth Crawley, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6YZ https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on
8th May 2026 Orchard Theatre Dartford, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/Online/whats-on
9th May 2026 Marina Theatre Lowestoft, Marina, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1HH https://www.marinatheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/seven-drunken-nights-2/
10th May 2026 Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1LZ https://everyonetheatres.com/whats-on/seven-drunken-nights-2/
13th May 2026 Hall For Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/
14th May 2026 Regent Centre Christchurch, High Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1AW https://theregent.co.uk/event/99966
15th May 2026 Towngate Theatre Basildon, St Martin’s Square, Basildon, Essex, SS14 1DL https://towngatetheatre.co.uk/seven-drunken-nights/
16th May 2026 Venue Cymru, The Promenade, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 1BB https://www.venuecymru.co.uk/seven-drunken-nights-3
17th May 2026 Theatre Severn, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8FT https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/shows/whatson
19th May 2026 Buxton Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners-2026
20th – 21st May 2026 The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB https://theatkinson.co.uk/whats-on/
22nd May 2026 Cast Doncaster, Waterdale, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 3BU https://castindoncaster.com/whats-on
23rd May 2026 Blackpool Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HT https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/seven-drunken-nights
24th May 2026 Oxford New Theatre, George Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2AG https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/seven-drunken-nights-the-story-of-the-dubliners/new-theatre-oxford/