By Sherry Lucas, clarionledger.com, Mississippi

The juiced-up jigs and staccato stomps of Irish dance phenomenon Riverdance could kick up a storm of Celtic interest in the upcoming shows in Jackson.

The production’s Friday-Saturday stint at Thalia Mara Hall should tap into much of the same audience that’s swelled the ranks of the annual CelticFest Mississippi to a top draw of around 8,000.

Tickets available 7 & 8 January.

Riverdance turns 16 years old next month, continuing its international rhythmic run.
It had its start as an interval for the TV phenomenon, Eurovision Song Contest, an international song competition in Ireland, as the previous year’s winner, hosted in 1994. The show’s producer came up with the idea of an Irish dance number to what was then contemporary music, said Riverdance senior executive producer Julian Erskine.
“Riverdance was born … as filler for a song contest,” Erskine said by phone from Dublin. “It was a 7-minute interval act that just had such an effect on people in Ireland. People went crazy.
“There was such a demand to see more of it that producers decided to go ahead and create a full-length show based around the original dance number.”

The current Riverdance show is a slightly smaller version of the original, but with nearly all the original content, Erskine said.

It’s more than just an Irish dance show, with a choir, a band, flamenco and African-American tap dancers and a strong Eastern European and Spanish flair to some of the music
“The Irish dancers are pure championship Irish dancers, and they’re the core of the show,” Erskine said.
He described the show’s Irish dance as “traditional with a bit of freedom.”

Traditional Irish dance has been almost exclusively competitive for more than 100 years, with a strict formula for the moves, he said.  Riverdance gave dancers a freedom to experiment, introducing new moves.  Maybe that’s one of the things that made Riverdance suddenly very interesting, especially for Irish people.

“The challenge for us now, 16 years later, is to maintain that freshness and that energy. So far we’ve managed to do that, and it all comes from the dancers.  They’re young, they’re very enthusiastic and … it’s more than just dancing in a stage show.
“There’s a sort of national pride as well.” Plus, with the dancers’ competitive backgrounds “they sort of can’t help themselves,” Erskine said. “They need to be better than the person beside them, on a nightly basis.”

 
Riverdance connects with audiences across cultures and continents – an appeal Erskine credits largely to its music. “It’s percussive music … foot-tapping music.

It’s hard to resist. Certainly, you’d want to be tone deaf or stone deaf not to click your fingers or tap your feet when the music is going full blast. And the dancers dance percussively.
“That’s probably what really gets to people is the percussion,” with drumming the essential core of most music. “I don’t want to be waxing too lyrical about it, but the first sound that any of us heard was our mother’s heartbeat. … I think it’s probably instilled in us, and I think it’s probably hard to not get carried along by it.”

Themes in the two-hour Riverdance involve the ancient Irish and Celtic worship of the elements and Irish immigration, again a big topic in the show’s home country.

“We just got into a very bad recession and our young people are packing their bags and leaving Ireland in droves which ironically is one of the things that triggered Riverdance,” Erskine said. “In the early ’90s, we were coming out of a long recession and for the first time in a long, long time, young Irish people were returning to Ireland because finally there was work and there was money.”Riverdance heralded that period known as “the Celtic Tiger,” 1995-2008, a period of economic growth. “Now it’s like the plug has been pulled, the tide has gone out and everybody’s leaving again” – both immigrants and Irish people.
“The funny thing was, we had immigration in our show as a sort of thing of the past, and in the great cycle of history, the past has caught up with us,” Erskine said.

The Jackson stop could be another fun rallying point for those swept up in Irish-related celebrations that swing from CelticFest in the fall to Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade each spring.

“Jackson was doing Riverdance before Riverdance was cool,” joked Don Penzien of Jackson’s Celtic Heritage Society. “Our view of Riverdance is, it’s kind of the Broadway interpretation of the Irish traditions. They’ve done an amazing job of raising awareness all over the world of Irish traditional music and the dance, which has been huge for us, in terms of our mission. They’ve got a popular way to outreach … that would’ve been harder to do if you stayed strictly within the folk genre. It’s different from what we do, but we’re thrilled that they’re coming around.
“It’s just really stunningly good entertainment,” Penzien said.
The high-energy spectacle always drums up interest among those who do it for fun, said Margaret Cupples, a founder of Jackson Irish Dancers, which dates to 1998 in the capital city. The group has a membership of about 35, including families and individuals ages 6 to 60-something, with 15 to 20 who dance regularly.
It’s a kick to recognize moves they do for fun.
“I feel like I enjoy a lot more because I am familiar with some of it – enough to say, oh, that’s what they’re doing, but they’re doing it really fast and there are 50 of them doing it!” Cupples said.

Read full article

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance comes to Jackson Mississippi

The new Riverdance Live from Beijing DVD and Blu-ray is available on the Riverdance store on Amazon.co.uk for U.K. and European fans.

Riverdance Live from Beijing DVD on sale – £10.98

Riverdance Live from Beijing Blu-ray on sale – £12.93Riverdance: Live from Beijing was filmed LIVE in the Beijing Exhibition Centre in 2010 to celebrate the show’s 15th Anniversary

This DVD showcases the incredible beauty, energy and skill of the dance combined with the captivating rhythms of the music. This recording, which is the first since 2001, was filmed to the highest specifications on RED High Definition cameras giving the quality of 35mm film.

Watch more exclusive clips from the new dvd on www.youtube.com/officialriverdance

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance Live from Beijing DVD & Blu-ray available in UK and Europe

Performing to an audience 20,000+ over the two weeks, Riverdance earned impressive reviews from both the Singapore audience and media…

        Singapore, Friday 3rd December 2010

“The spirited violinist, the emotive music, the exuberant dancers, and above all, the pounding beat, all contributed to a “rock anthem” of Irish dance”

      Singapore Friday 3rd December 2010

“More than 15 years on, Riverdance continues to be a crowd favourite and there’s no stemming the tide of applause and whoops from the audience when they watch the dancers high-kick their way across the stage”

See Worldwide Audience Reviews

More Worldwide Press Reviews

Riverdance Moy Company - Cast & Crew - Singapore Tour 2010

The Riverdance Moy Company Singapore Tour

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance bids farewell to Singapore with great reviews

Riverdance’s highest performance ever at MBS SkyPark Singapore, 7th December 2010.

Two hundred metres above ground.

This is the highest stage the Irish tap dance troupe has performed on in their 16-year history.

The pool deck at the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Singapore became an impromptu performance area for media and curious onlookers alike as the cast from Riverdance linked hands and tap danced in unison.

The team is applying to have this feat recognised by Guinness World Records as a performance on the highest stage in the world.

Riverdance previously performed a similar feat on the Great Wall of China, which ranges in height between five and nine metres.

Riverdance performs at the MBS Singapore until 12th December 2010. Book Tickets

AsiaOne.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance’s highest performance ever

Ten years after it last wowed local audiences, lavish Irish musical extravaganza Riverdance is back this month to open the sprawling, 1600-seat Marina Bay Sands theatre.

The Riverdance troupe, who are in the midst of their farewell tour after criss-crossing the world for the last 15 years, will be in town for a two-week performance starting November 30th. It marks the first major production to be staged at the MBS theatre, which was due to be completed by the end of 2009 but ran into several construction delays.

A show-stopping musical that taps into ancient Celtic mythology and Irish history to tell a story of the evolution of Irish dance, Riverdance started out as a mere seven-minute interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin in 1994.

It has since has grown into a near two-hour production that has thrilled an audience of over 22 million and grossed US$1.6 billion in ticket sales throughout North America, Oceania, Asia and Europe with its energetic, frenetic brand of tap-dancing.

Irish lead dancer Padraic Moyles is thrilled that, despite having toured the world and performed numerous shows, he and his troupe will be the first major production to grace the MBS theatre.

Lead Dancers Chloey Turner & Padraic Moyles

“To think, 15 years after Riverdance first started, that we would still be creating “firsts” is hard to believe,” said the charismatic 31-year-old dancer who, along with female lead, Chloey Turner, was recently in town to promote the show.

“It would be fitting to say we are honored to be asked to open this unbelievable venue and I am absolutely certain that we will not disappoint,” he added.

His female co-partner, Turner, was also thrilled to be part of the curtain-raising act for MBS’ theatre.

“In the three years I’ve been in Riverdance, I’ve never opened a brand new theatre especially one as impressive as MBS,” said the 23-year-old Englishwoman, who trained for two years at Riverdance to snag the coveted role of female lead dancer.

Both principal dancers commended the venue’s facilities and are looking forward to their Singapore performance.

“Standing on stage it seemed as if the audience was on top of me, which is so exciting, to think that the audience will be that close to the performers,” said Moyles.

Alicia Wong – Yahoo News

Tickets on sale Don’t miss out!
Tickets $70-$170
A limited number of family packages (2 adults and 2 children) are available at $400 in Category A for matinees

BOOKINGS Website: www.marinabaysands.com
SISTIC Hotline +65 6348 5555
All SISTIC authorized agents

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance taps its way into MBS theatre

The Riverdance opening night was a doubly auspicious one as it was also the first show to be staged in the newly opened Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands.

Members of the theatre and creative industry were in attendance to watch the extraordinary performance in this new theatre.

The theatre had comfortable seats that had a good view of the stage no matter where you sat and the acoustics were loud and clear. A simply designed lobby, interior and spacious backstage rooms should get a thumbs-up from any discerning theatre-lover.

Your Plush mistress and her elite compagnon were one of the special ones who got to watch the first show and view the new theatre.

To read the full article and view more photos from the night see www.plushasia.com

Riverdance runs from Nov 30-12 Dec at Marina Bay Sands Theatre

Meet the Singapore Cast

Read this on the Riverdance website: Grand affair for Riverdance and Sands Theater opening

Chloey Turner’s love affair with Riverdance is the story of a lifelong dream come true.

Born in England, Turner, 23, saw Riverdance on TV when she was a child. From that moment she wanted to be a part of the show.

The next 10 years was a journey of fitness regimes and dance competitions. She worked as a personal trainer at a fitness gym, and competed in international dance competitions. In 2007, she successfully passed an audition for Riverdance.

She took that determination and passion up a notch, working towards getting the lead role in the show. She debuted as the principal female lead in August 2010.

Lead Dancers Padraic Moyles & Chloey Turner

The Riverdance show in Singapore marks the beginning of her tour with the company in the lead role.

What are you looking forward to about performing in Singapore?
I’m looking forward to the audience’s reactions. I’m sure they’re going to love the show.

Tell us about your journey to get to Riverdance
Riverdance was the reason I started Irish dancing in the first place. I always aspired to be a part of the cast. I was six or seven when I saw Riverdance on TV, and went to my first Irish dance class when I was eight.

I was desperate to be in the show. Being the lead is a dream come true. I didn’t think I could do it. I’ve always been a hard worker – but this is the ultimate – to be the lead in one of the world’s biggest shows. You feel like you’ve made it.

When I first joined the show, if you’d have said in a few years’ time you’re going to be the lead in Singapore, there’s no way I would have believed it.

How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a part of the show?
I remember screaming and crying – I’ve only had that feeling twice: when I got into the show, and when I found out I was going to be the lead. I don’t think there was ever a stage when I wanted to give up.

Read the full AsiaOne.com Interview here

Riverdance runs from Nov 30-12 Dec at Marina Bay Sands Theatre

Meet the Singapore Cast

Read this on the Riverdance website: Lead Dancer Chloey Turner

A large bucket of ice for sore legs after every show.

Every dancer soaks his or her legs in ice when they get off-stage – an essential practice among the dancers of the Riverdance company.

And it is probably one of the things that has kept lead dancer Padraic Moyles’s legs intact for the past 13 years that he has been with the show.

The lively and colourful Irish dance and music sensation is the first show to be performed at the Sands Theater at Marina Bay Sands.

Riverdance kicks off its regional tour with 16 performances in Singapore.

The tour has been named the Farewell Tour because it is the last time the Irish dance and music production will tour this region.

The 31-year-old Irishman shared several anecdotes about members of the company, places they had performed in, and their love for Irish dancing.

Moyles himself is married to a fellow dancer in the Riverdance company. His wife, Niamh O’ Connor, has been with the show for 15 years and has appeared in some 5000 performances. She also performed in the show when Riverdance first came to Singapore in 2000.

Padraic with Female Lead Dancer, Chloey Turner

He gives AsiaOne readers a glimpse into what they can expect from the show which officially opens on November 30.

AsiaOne: What exactly does the name “Riverdance” mean?

Moyles: The first show was held along the River Liffey, the main river in Ireland. The composer Bill Whelan used the river as the theme and wrote the music with that in mind. If you listen to the music in Riverdance it takes you on a journey, just like the river would.

Since it had Irish dancing in it, he called it Riverdance.

How has the show evolved since 10 years ago?

Technically, it’s always trying to stay on the cutting edge of technology – how we light the stage, how we produce our sound, our costumes – everything has changed a lot.

Riverdance is known for its energy and its synchronicity of its performers. We’ve been able to bring that energy to smaller venues. It will be a much more memorable performance.

Are there any superstitions or rituals you do before a show for “Irish luck”?
I go off into a corner of the stage and walk back and forth. I don’t talk to anybody – when people talk to me I ignore them because I’m in my own little zone. I need to get to a place in my head that makes it feel right to go out there.

Read the full AsiaOne.com Interview here

Riverdance runs from Nov 30-12 Dec at Marina Bay Sands Theatre

Meet the Singapore Cast

Read this on the Riverdance website: Irish tap dancing heats up the stage at Marina Bay Sands

The original international phenomenon, Riverdance, which has enthralled more than 22 million people worldwide, returns to Singapore and marks the grand opening of the magnificent new Sands Theater at Marina Bay Sands, for a limited season of only 16 performances, from 30 November to 12 December 2010.

The Riverdance tour to Singapore will feature 31 amazing performers including the remarkable Riverdance Irish Troupe, the cream of Irish musicians, and an impressive array of talent from around the globe, all performing to enchanting Grammy Award-winning music and lyrics. This is a performance that promises to touch your heart and move your feet.

Marina Bay Sands proudly hosts the Singapore tour of Riverdance as the first show to grace the stage at their gleaming new theater. The brand new Sands Theater at Marina Bay Sands is a state of the art venue which has been designed to showcase world class entertainment of all genres for the ultimate guest experience. With 1600 seats on two levels, it provides an intimate venue with excellent sightlines and acoustics.

“It has been 10 years since Singapore has welcomed Riverdance to its shores, and I can’t think of a better show to open such a spectacular venue. Riverdance really is a unique spectacle of unbelievable talent which I’m sure will capture the imagination and thrill audiences across Southeast Asia “says Milan Rokic, Managing Director of BASE Entertainment Asia.

Marina Bay Sands President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thomas Arasi, said, “It is important for Marina Bay Sands to provide extraordinary experiences for all our guests. The global appeal of Riverdance complements our line-up of attractions including the Sands SkyPark®, the best celebrity chef restaurants and Asia’s premier shopping venue. We can’t wait for this spectacular performance to make its mark on our very own Sands Theater.”

Tickets on sale   Don’t miss out!
Tickets $70-$170
A limited number of family packages (2 adults and 2 children) are available at $400 in Category A for matinees

BOOKINGS Website: www.marinabaysands.com
SISTIC Hotline +65 6348 5555
All SISTIC authorized agents

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance bursts onto the stage in Singapore

For those who have not had the joy of experiencing this spectacle of Irish music and dance and for diehard fans – this is your last chance to feel the thrill of Riverdance when they visit our shores for their farewell tour playing for the first time in an intimate theatre setting.

Tickets Now On Sale

Perth, Burswood Theatre 8 – 13 March

Sydney, Capitol Theatre 18 – 27 March

Melbourne, Regent Theatre 30 March – 10 April

Brisbane, Lyric Theatre QPAC 12 – 17 April

Visit the Australia Tour & Tickets page for full ticket information

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance Tours Australia for the Last Time