Dear Reader –
When our residency in Connolly’s finished earlier this year, it was a bit like a long-term relationship coming to an end. I felt I needed time to take stock before jumping into something else. But as of next week, Seamie and I are back in the game.
**All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
Fridays in McGarrigles with The Odd Couple.
Sundays in Tobergal Lane with The Odd Couple and Sinéad.
Thursdays in Fureys with The Odd Couple.
Fridays in Hargadons with Anything Goes.
Mondays in Fureys with Seamie.
Mondays in Connolly’s with Seamie and guests.
Residencies rock. I have been lucky to be a part of some great ones over the years. An opportunity to play regularly, to build up a relationship with audiences, and to get to know great pubs and people. I have missed not having one for the last few months. As have my fingers, ears and mind. So it’s great to be starting something new. With the great Seamie - with whom no gig will ever be the same.
A big thanks to Brees in Strandhill for making it happen. We’ll have guests some weeks, but Seamie and I will kick it off with just the two of us next Monday 24th, and I’m feeling happier about it than the below pic suggests (I must have been worrying for my fingers)!
Where else but Sligo?
I wrote about some Theme Night #30 heroes and highlights last week. Before we park this show, here are a few of my favourite behind the scenes stories…
Seeing our choir (many of whom took a while to warm to this theme!) get totally stuck in when it came to acting drunk on Master Of The House.
The sheer energy and joy that Niamh Keaveney and Holly Higgins brought to Ease On Down That Road.
Conor Bastible was at the back of the stage on Luke Devaney’s keyboard each night when it came to Hello. It was his responsibility to play the doorbells and the buzzer. Watching him crane his entire body so that he could see Kieran Cunnane press the imaginary buzzer and play the note on the keyboard at exactly the right time added to the hilarity of the moment.
To the lady in the green jumper in Row 2 on Thursday - thank you. Firstly for coming to see our show, and secondly for knowing all the words to every song and singing along with a smile on your face all night!
Having to be advised (twice) not to introduce the Entr’acte on nights 2 and 3 as I did on Night 1!
The entire key change at the end of Roxanne was on the shoulders of Jack Courtenay. It was his first theme night and he was exposed. Out on his own. Sing the wrong note and the big encore number is a car crash. No problem to Jack - he nailed it each time.
Newcomer Mary Gaynor soaking up everything she could backstage before coming on and delivering her song with such calm and poise.
So many audience members telling me that Paul Maitland should be on Broadway. And he should!
Finally, Joe Hunt (below) absolutely rocking Pinball Wizard on the Wednesday night rehearsal (it was the first time we heard him) and then 30 seconds later being back at his projections perch at the back of the theatre as if nothing had happened.
What’s New?
TN #31 TICKETS: Stories in Song - Jan 19th-21st 2023. The song suggestions are flying in and the tickets are flying out! Fri and Sat shows are now SOLD OUT, just Thursday tickets left. Get them here before they’re gone.
ANOTHER STRANDHILL GIG: Seamie, Gerry Grennan and I will be LIVE in The Strand this Friday 21st Oct. Sparks flew the last time we did this gig - here’s hoping for more of the same…
GO AHEAD - BUY A PIANO: Speaking of stories, here’s a gorgeous one about a man who decided later in life to put a large piano in his small apartment and hasn’t regretted it once.
Finally…
Keep the suggestions coming for the Theme Night #31 (Stories) setlist please - all are welcome! Here’s another strong contender…
Till next time - Kieran.
