St Patrick’s party with the Blarney Brothers

If you’re Irish, come into the parlour…

Well, even if you’re not, get down to The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway for its annual St Patrick’s party with Durban’s legendary Irish band, the Blarney Brothers, on Friday, March 18.

With the Blarney Brothers, the audience can be sure of a great big, foot-stomping, sing-along party and The Barnyard is staging the show a day ‘late’ to take advantage of the weekend, ensuring that everyone is able to celebrate in true Irish style.

Perhaps the Blarney Brothers’ popularity is just because they simply play for the audience, making music they know everyone will love.

But, this is certainly helped along with a liberal flavouring of genuine Irish Blarney and humour, because the Blarney Brothers are as Irish as shamrock, poteen and Guinness, which just happens to be on promotion to lubricate the celebrations!

The band’s music is a mixture of Irish ballads, foot-tapping pub songs, popular newies and the occasional Irish jig.

Audiences can expect to hear a mix of favourites such as Running Bear, Drunken Sailor, Wild Rover, Jerusalem, I Am Your Music Man, The Leaving Of Liverpool, Simple Simon, Whiskey In The Jar, Danny Boy, Knees Up Mother Brown and Ireland’s Call.

It is a tribute to their popularity that 34 years after their first performance at the Astra Hotel in Durban, they are still one of South Africa’s top five acts. In fact, their history goes back even further as they served their musical apprenticeship playing in the Irish showbands for ten years before arriving on South African soil.

The Blarney Brothers established their enduring and endearing name by playing at “The Barn” at The Athlone Hotel, Durban every Wednesday and Friday for 13 years, so it seems like a fitting tribute to have them performing at The Barnyard.

The band’s Paul and Damien McIlroy and Tony Fisher are all fine vocalists and very musically talented.  Paul is the leader of the group, also playing the keyboards, banjo and guitar; Tony plays the fiddle, bass guitar, mandolin, penny whistle and flute; while Damien is on lead guitar and vocals.

The theatre will open at 6.30pm, the show will start at 8pm and tickets are R120 per person.

For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 – 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyard.durban for more information.