After an acclaimed run in 2015, Damien Leith is bringing his revered one-man cabaret show The Parting Glass back and hitting the road through regional Australia; and a select run of dates to metropolitan centres by popular demand. The Parting Glass: An Irish Journey made its debut at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival where it received a rousing response – its subsequent sell-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne received standing ovations cementing Damien Leith as a man of many talents.
The musical play, which takes place in an Irish pub, sees Damien take on the role of both a father and a son as they get to the bottom of a deep secret that has haunted them both. It is filled with humour and emotion, and, as you would expect from any pub setting in Ireland, it features a live band. Every aspect of the The Parting Glass was carefully thought out, including the music selection. Having the live band really does give that ‘sitting in a pub having a pint’ atmosphere.
“The music throughout the show is Irish music,” Damien says. “There is a collection of songs that I have just loved for years, songs like Danny Boy, Rocky Road to Dublin… the band play all the traditional instruments, fiddle, tin whistle, bodhran – it is a real Irish experience. You’ve got the drama side of it and the rousing Irish music.”
With songs like Danny Boy, Raglan Road, Toss The Feathers, Molly Malone and Rocky Road to Dublin to name a few, the show is unlike any other. It is filled with great conversation and humour, heartfelt emotion and incredible music. The Parting Glass showcases Damien as not only an exceptional musician and singer, but also a talented and engaging actor and playwright.
After the success of the 2015 tour, Damien couldn’t wait to take his show back out on the road again and the timing in 2017 was perfect. It was also a chance for the singer-songwriter to dig back into his Irish roots and add some more material. “I am thrilled that my show The Parting Glass will tour again in 2017,” says Damien. “I’ve added some great new Irish classics and I can’t wait to act and sing again in this very special production.”
Damien Leith first captured the hearts of the Australian public in the 2006 reality television show Australian Idol. Since then he has enjoyed platinum selling albums and multiple awards including ARIAs, MTV Australia Video Music Awards and Helpmann Awards. He recently celebrated his 10th anniversary in the industry with a massive national tour and has most recently been out on the road paying homage to one of his idols, the late great Roy Orbison. In addition to his incredible musical successes, he has also hosted and co-hosted multiple television shows and penned two novels.
The Parting Glass certainly continues to demonstrate Damien’s versatility as a performer, making a seamless transition on stage from acting to singing. Audiences will be taken on a journey, invited into the snug Irish pub with two endearing characters – they may laugh, they may cry – but they’ll certainly be entertained.
Tickets for The Parting Glass: An Irish Journey are on sale now.
Friday 6th October 2017
Albury Entertainment Centre, ALBURY NSW
www.alburyentertainmentcentre.com.au
Saturday 7th October 2017
Griffith Regional Theatre, GRIFFITH NSW
www.griffithregionaltheatre.com.au
Friday 13th October 2017
Middleback Theatre, WHYALLA SA
www.countryarts.org.au
Saturday 14th October 2017
Dunstan Playhouse, ADELAIDE SA
www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
Friday 20th October 2017
Astor Theatre, PERTH WA
www.astortheatreperth.com
Saturday 21st October 2017
Albany Entertainment Centre, ALBANY WA
www.ptt.wa.gov.au/venues/albany-entertainment-centre
Friday 27th October 2017
Lighthouse Theatre, WARRNAMBOOL VIC
www.lighthousetheatre.com.au
Saturday 28th October 2017
Mildura Arts Centre, MILDURA VIC
www.milduraartscentre.com.au
Friday 3rd November 2017
Canterbury RSL, CANTERBURY NSW
www.chprsl.com.au
Friday 10th November 2017
Wrest Point, HOBART TAS
www.wrestpoint.com.au
Saturday 11th November 2017
Country Club, LAUNCESTON TAS
www.countryclubtasmania.com.au
Friday 17th November 2017
Mounties, MOUNT PRITCHARD NSW
www.mounties.com.au
Saturday 18th November 2017
Chapel Off Chapel, MELBOURNE VIC
www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Thursday 23rd November 2017
Gladstone Entertainment Centre, GLADSTONE QLD
www.gladecc.com.au
Friday 24th November 2017
Mackay Entertainment Centre, MACKAY QLD
www.themecc.com.au
Saturday 25th November 2017
Riverway Arts Centre, TOWNSVILLE QLD
(07) 4727 9797
Sunday 26th November 2017
Brothers Leagues Club, CAIRNS QLD
www.brotherscairns.com.au
For more information, please visit www.damienleith.com
