Review: Seven Drunken Nights: The Story Of The Dubliners, New Wimbledon Theatre

I have always been dubious about the Craic. The myth that the Irish share their own brand of mystical fun seems out of touch with 2026’s identity politics. It is rather like saying the ’larger framed’ amongst us all have jolly personalities or, as early 90’s Woody Harrelson had it, white men can’t jump. But, then, there’s the irresistibly infectious folk music of The Dubliners to consider. It melts the grumpiest heart and gets the most reluctant toe tapping. It’s proof, if it were needed, that there probably is a little bit of Celtic magic in the Irish soul. 

As the band retired in 2012 after a career spanning 50 years, Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners is possibly the best chance for fans, old and new, to enjoy their music live today. Not that the show is exactly full of Craic itself. It is exactly as described, though; quite definitely the band’s story, told between songs. However, the narration is functional rather than theatrical or even musical. Put any thoughts of a juke box show with a plot out of your mind. There are snippets of information, largely delivered by show creator and star Ged Graham, but they feel more like a rather po-faced BBC Radio 4 profile than a gig. I say this, but the content lacks our national broadcaster’s journalistic rigour. It feels thrown together. Chronology is largely ignored. Names, dates, and places whizz by, taking us from the 1960s to the 1980s, and the band’s 25th anniversary. Being kind, it comes across as an illustrated lecture for people who already know a fair bit about the Dubliners. Being unkind, it’s largely pointless.

Elsewhere, thankfully, there’s plenty of humour. I particularly enjoyed a witty collection of historical TV adverts projected to occasionally set the scene and give us a sense of period. An Aer Lingus 1960s example is a cracker. There’s heart too. A musical recreation of singer Luke Kelly’s funeral, who died too young at just 43, is either moving or mawkish depending on your point of view, but there’s no doubting its sincerity. 

The show succeeds overall because it rides a wave of goodwill, excellent musicianship, and, of course, The Dubliners’ unparalleled back catalogue. Alongside host Graham’s fine balladeering, Luc Power impresses vocally. Fiddle player Aidan Burke has a ball too, with fingers and bow flying with suitable flair. It’s a touring show, so, understandably, piano and drums appear via backing track, but this seems a shame. 

So, is Seven Drunken Nights any good? It’s been on the road for a decade now, playing to packed houses, with no sign of slowing down, so I suspect my opinion won’t make an iota of difference to anyone. I will, however, say that, like Guinness before pesky advertising regulations ruined the fun, the show is possibly good for you. Dancing in the aisles to ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ and singing along to ‘Molly Malone’, in this troubled world, is a tonic worth serious consideration. 

Creator & Creative Director: Ged Graham
Producer & Executive Director: Ross Mills
Technical Director: Alistair Penman
Musical Director: Adam Evans

Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of The Dubliners has completed its performances at The New Wimbledon Theatre but continues on an extensive UK tour.