Seven Drunken Nights At Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

Sunday 19th March was a special birthday in our house, so we were delighted to review Seven Drunken Nights at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The car park next to the Theatre is the most convenient to use, maybe worth a note you can only pay via the app now, so worth downloading Ring Go prior to going if you are using this one. As it was also Mothers Day we treated ourselves to a meal at the local Wetherspoons, conveniently situated just across the road.

I do love the Waterside Theatre and had never sat up in the top tier, but it was a fab view and as we were in the centre of the row, we had full view of the show. Seven Drunken Nights is the tribute show for the Irish Group The Dubliners, a group that played together for over 50 years.

Right from the opening number, the audience were tapping their feet and clapping along, singing heartily to almost every number. I do like it when a tribute act give you all the background and history for the group. The lads themselves on the stage were fascinating, one playing alongside his grandson. They all had the most amazing voices and played their instruments amazingly well.

You couldn’t help get caught up in the atmosphere of the era, and can only imagine what it would have been like to see and hear the Dubliners play live in a pub or venue. They shared an interesting fact in that the song Seven Drunken Nights, which was released in 1967, was originally banned in Ireland by the broadcaster RTE for being too raunchy!

All of the musicians on stage had great voices, and played their hearts out, keeping up a humorous but informative narrative in between songs. Many of the audience around us clearly had lived in Dublin and talked about pubs or places in the pictures, reminiscing, with big smiles on their faces. Music has such a way of bringing you to life, and making you feel good, and this show does that. The variety of songs is huge, the Dubliners were truly a legendary Irish folk band, singing songs about a variety of subjects. Most are foot stomping and catchy. The atmosphere in the theatre was one of joy and nearly everyone was clapping along to most of the tunes.

Local theatres across the country are hosting this show and many others, we should all support the theatres in our communities and buy tickets for shows like this. I was surprised to see such a large turnout on a Sunday evening, but as we return to a more normal post pandemic, nights like these are priceless. Although just a few hours long, it takes you to such a happy place, which you take with you when you go home. For one night only, I felt like I was in Dublin with the Dubliners enjoying the craic as you do, and possibly some business to! You were fab lads, proper fab.

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £24 including booking fee
Touring the UK FOR 2023
Visit sevendrunkennights.com for dates and ticket information
For more information or to book tickets at Aylesbury Waterside theatre, please visit Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Box Office | Buy Tickets Online | ATG Tickets