Review: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK, Adelphi Theatre - Tour

From the producers of Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners comes Fairytale of New York, a Christmas extravaganza to inject a bit of Irish festive spirit into your December. 

Featuring a cast of international cast of singers, musicians and dancers, and set against a backdrop of New York, the show features some much loved Christmas songs (albeit with a twist) and of course the traditional Irish classics such as ‘Dirty Old Town’ and ‘Galway Girl’.

Whilst the show may not be to everyone’s taste, it is lively and impossible not to have a little sing-along. The final five songs in particular get the crowd up on their feet and bopping along. 

All the performers are incredibly talented, with the dancing routines mesmerising and well put together. 

Maebh Kennedy plays the fiddle and sings throughout; a very talented lady as she performs her songs note perfect and plays her instrument with precision. 

Ged Graham, Danny Muldoon and Adam Evans provide the majority of the vocals and carry the show between them with their crowd pleasing antics. All have strong vocals with Graham and Muldoon very much the stars of the show. Without them, it would feel much less quintessentially Irish!

The set, on occasion, turns into a Visit Ireland advert, perhaps more on purpose than by accident, and the only criticism is the fact that the first half feels a little slower in pace compared to the second half. The running order of the songs could perhaps do with some tweaking but overall, the content is strong. 

As a production, the sound and lighting design doesn’t go unnoticed and the dancers’ costumes also dazzle the eye. 

If you are on the lookout for a good night out and a bit of festive cheer, this is the show for you. 

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rooney  

Fairytale of New York continues to tour the UK until 23 December 2022 before returning in November 2023. Tickets are available here.