British Blues and Roots singer-songwriter, poet and storyteller Mike ‘Dr. Blue’ McKeon has chosen NZ Fringe Festival Wellington to debut his life affirming storytelling show Irish Jimmy.

Written by Sameena Zehra and Mike McKeon, and directed by Zehra, Irish Jimmy is 50 minutes of poignant, dark, humorous and life-affirming storytelling, interspersed with original songs. An exploration of identity, family and how we get to who we become, this beautifully crafted show entertains and mesmerises, as audiences travel through three generations of soldiers & suffragettes, rogues & rebels, songs and stories.

‘Jimmy was my grandfather. He was an old rogue. A warning rather than an example.’ Mike ‘Dr Blue’ McKeon.

McKeon also makes a NZ debut of his acclaimed solo show Nothing But The Blues and is the musical director, composer and a performer in the ‘spellbinding, provocative… passionate & political’ (***** Three Weeks) production of Fiery Tongues, Heathcote Williams' epic piece about words that have changed the world for good.

Based in Hove, on the South Coast of England, Mike has been a touring musician, both solo and with a band, for over 20 years. His first solo album of all original songs, Heaven Bound (2010) was written over a summer spent in Kashmir (India) with the sound of birdsong and gunfire all around. Currently, McKeon and Zehra are working on a new album, Silent Man.

As the reputation of Wellington Fringe gets out, audiences can enjoy high-quality international work from artists such as McKeon and Zehra.

‘Authentic Blues...Mesmerising...would do B B King or any of the other Blues legends proud’ **** Broadway Baby

 ‘Sounds like the bastard son of Tom Waits and Howlin’ Wolf.’ Rob Clarke, Arch 1.

Irish Jimmy shows at The Third Eye, 30 Arthur Street, Te Aro, Wellington from 16 to 18 February 2017.

Performance times: Thursday – Saturday, 7.30pm  

Tickets: $15 - $20 from www.fringe.co.nz

Fiery Tongues shows at BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington from 24 to 27 February 2017.

Performance times: Friday – Monday, 6.30pm  

Tickets: $15 - $20 from www.bats.co.nz or by calling 04 802 4175.

Nothing But The Blues shows at The Third Eye, 30 Arthur Street, Te Aro, Wellington from 1 to 4 March 2017.

Performance times: Wednesday – Saturday, 9:00pm

Tickets: $23 - $25 from www.fringe.co.nz