James Greenan

James Greenan is one of the male leads with Riverdance, currently performing in China as part of the Riverdance Grand Theatre Tour.

James was born in London but moved with his family to Co Cavan at the age of 11.

A keen footballer, he took some persuading to take up dancing, but has never looked back since.

He’s gone on to win several titles, in both solo and céilí competitions including the World Championships, All-Irelands, Great Britains, and Northern American Championships.

In the middle of winning dancing competitions he has also managed to start studying architecture.

How did you first become involved in Irish dancing?

I first became involved in Irish Dancing through my sisters. I was born in London, England and lived there till my parents decided to move back to Ireland when I was 11.

I had no interest in Irish dancing at a young age, football was my passion. Growing up in South London there is a lot of inspiration for any young lad to follow in the sport so naturally I followed this path.

But my sisters all danced, and one year the school (the Loughlan academy) needed a boy for a dance drama which is a competition held at every worlds were schools tell a story through dance. So I was roped into doing that at the age of 10.

A year later we moved to Cootehill, Co Cavan and I joined the Mona Ni Rodaigh school in Dundalk an the rest is history!

What age were you when Riverdance first came out? Were you always a fan?

I was 4 years old when Riverdance first performed on the Eurovision Song Contest. I think I was too young to know what it was, my sisters all went to see the show when we were in London but to be honest I was more interested in football at that age. It wasn’t until I moved to Ireland that I developed a true passion for Irish dance and fell in love with Riverdance.

Are you looking forward to the tour China?

I am looking forward to China very much. I love experiencing new cultures and meeting new people, especially when they live in countries so diverse to ours. I’m sure there will be many new challenges for a lot of us, including the language barrier, so it will be fun to learn a bit of Chinese and converse with the locals.

You’ve a hectic schedule, but what will you be hoping to do on any downtime you get?

We do have a pretty hectic schedule ahead of us. I always try and be productive on a tour – whether is going to the gym or doing some sight seeing, but on the China tour I really want to learn the guitar again. I used to play as a kid but have recently picked it up again so I will try and buy one when I get out there and see if I can learn a few songs for the sessions when I come back home.

What’s your favourite place in the world that you’ve visited on any of your tours?

I have some very memorable places that I have been to throughout the years but for all different reasons. I really like Germany as it is such an efficient country and everything runs like clockwork.

Before Christmas last year I was lucky enough to go to Hawaii for the first time and that was incredible. It was the first time I had been to an exotic so naturally the beauty of the island took my breath away.

But my favourite place I have been to is definitely Buenos Aires. I was there this past August on Riverdance’s first South American tour. I fell in love with the culture of the city. The history, the music, the Tango, and peoples passion for it is something that really appeals to me. I hope we go back there again with the show but if not I will definitely go back for a holiday.

Read this on the Riverdance website: Interview with James Greenan

Caterina Coyne, lead dancer Riverdance

As one of the lead dancers in Riverdance, Caterina Coyne has travelled all over the world and performed to audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.

Born in the UK to Irish parents – who moved back to Ireland when she was still in school – she always had a keen interest in Irish dancing. After many years of hard practice, she decided to follow her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

She has danced in prestigious venues such as Radio City Music Hall in New York and the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. Now she is in China for a ten-week tour, where she will perform to an expected audience of 86,000 people across 24 major cities.

How did you first get into Irish dancing?

Well, I was actually born in London. Both my parents had emigrated to England when they were young and my mum sent myself and my two sisters to Irish dancing classes. And then when we moved home back to Ireland, I kind of just loved it so much, I immediately went to a dancing class and kept going all the way through high school.

My parents probably wanted us to do something traditional while we were in England so that’s how it all started.

How does it feel to be a part of Riverdance?

I remember watching the Eurovision on TV and so many Irish dancers say the same thing and seeing Riverdance. It was just one of those ‘wow’ moments that I don’t think I will ever forget and I thought ‘I’d love to be able to do that.’ To actually be in it eight years on, in the show as one of the lead dancers, sometimes you have to pinch yourself and remind yourself how lucky you are to be part of something so special.

What age were you in 1994 when Riverdance performed on the Eurovision stage?

I was 13. I always loved dancing and I always imagined doing something in the dancing world. There wasn’t anything for Irish dancers really so it gave Irish dancers a goal to achieve, or something to become: a professional Irish dancer.

A lot of people say ‘oh, you’re a professional Irish dancer. How does that work?’ But all of the dancers in Riverdance train like athletes to be in the show. To sustain a six or nine month tour, you have to be so, so fit, and we can call ourselves professional dancers. Before Riverdance there was nothing like that. So it did put Irish dancing on the map, so to speak.

What is your training regime like?

At the moment I’m just trying to get fit. I’ve been off for a while – the last tour was I did was the Gaiety one during the summer, which we do every year. This coming summer, 2013, would be our tenth year so it will be big.

I’ve been off for a while so I’m literally working out 4 hours a day to get ready for the China tour. A bit of gym, a bit of hot yoga – it’s good for the muscles and getting that flexibility back that you lose. After three weeks of not dancing, it amazing how unfit you can get, not to mention three months!

You’re heading off to China this week – what can you tell us about the tour?

Yeah, I’ve never actually been to China before so it is definitely going to be an experience for me. I’ve been talking to a lot of the other cast members who have been to China before, and one of the things that everyone talks about is the lack of options for food, or maybe not actually knowing exactly what you’re going to be eating, so to bring your own little bits along if you can to eat if you’re starving of the hunger!

As far as I know we have a show almost every day. We travel one day a week, be it a Sunday or a Monday and that’s also our day off. But apart from that, we do a show every single day.

Are you looking forward to it?

Oh, I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait! Like I was saying, I’ve been lucky enough to tour America for the past seven years and I’ve been on that company for that length of time so I’ve never actually been to that side of the world before – and I’ve never been to China before – so it will be an experience.

I hope that I get a chance to experience it as well because sometimes it’s hard – you know you get to travel to all these amazing places with the schedule, sometimes two shows a day, it’s very hard to get out and see some of the cities. All you get to see sometimes are the hotel and the theatre, which can be a bit disappointing if you are in Beijing or somewhere amazing like that.

So how much downtime will you get?

To be honest, I don’t know that yet, I’m sure we will. I know in the bigger cities we’re sat down for a little bit longer – we will have maybe four or five days in one place so we will definitely be able to make time to go out and see a few things. But sometimes we do move every day, or every other day, so that makes it a little harder.

Are your family planning to visit you at all?

I don’t think so! I was trying to question them to see if they would be interested in coming over around Christmas time, but I don’t think they’ll leave the comfort of their own home to trek across to China unfortunately.

How does that leave you for Christmas?

Well my fiancé is actually the drummer in the show so I don’t feel so alone. I kind of have someone there with me the whole time so it’s nice! I’m not completely by myself.

Mark Alfred with Caterina Coyne

Is it difficult being away from family and friends for a long period of time?

It can be. It is a lot easier in places like America – when we did Radio City in New York a few years ago, my mum and my sister came out to visit me. Well, I’m not sure if they came for me or the shopping!

But they came to New York and they came to a few other cities to visit me, but it is hard when you’re away for six or nine months of the year. You miss the small things like birthdays and anniversaries and things like that so it can get a bit tough.

On the flipside, what has been your best experience so far?

Dancing lead in Radio City was probably one of the highlights of my career and my family were there to see me dance in such a prestigious venue, which was quite amazing. And also the first time my family came to see me ever dance lead in a show was a special moment also.

Why do you think that Riverdance has captured the imagination of people in China?

The reason why Riverdance is so special and the reason why it has kept the standards of the show for so long is because it has that ‘x factor’ I guess, something that you can’t explain. It’s the music combined with the choreography.

The Chinese people are quite reserved and it’s considered quite rude to interrupt a performance or cheer or clap. But you can see the Chinese people and you can tell they are loving it and they’re so enthusiastic. When you’re over there in a country like that and you can see them, I suppose, changing the way they usually behave when they watch something like that.

Does that impact on the performance?

It definitely helps when you can tell that the audience are really, really loving it, and you definitely feel that on stage. You feel that appreciation from the audience every night you get a standing ovation, and it’s just an absolute pleasure to be part of something like that.

Caterina was interviewed by Worldirish.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: Meet lead dancer Caterina Coyne

Alana Mallon

Alana Mallon, Riverdance’s longest serving female principal dancer talks to Julian Erskine about her career with Riverdance.

Julian:  Hi Alana, Congratulations – believe it or not, you are now our longest serving female principal dancer, how does that make you feel?

Alana:  It makes me feel privileged. I know that when I joined the show, I never anticipated that I would have such a long run as lead. There are so many factors that go into the show from staying fit, to dancing at a level that you as a dancer are comfortable with, that I’m glad I still feel up to the task. It gives me great satisfaction that I’ve been able to entertain audiences at that level for so long, not only from a personal standpoint, but up to Riverdance’s high standards.

Julian: Tell me about your early days in the troupe, where did you train, where did you first dance in the show?

Alana:  In 2000, I joined the Shannon Company on Broadway. I trained in New York for a rigorous week of training and I actually started dancing the show that very week! I was put on a new number nightly. It was exhilarating, exciting, a new experience, and something I will always remember. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully explain how that felt in words.

Julian: When you started as a troupe dancer, who were the leads then and in those days we used to have understudies, can you remember who they were?

Alana:  When I started in the Broadway Shannon Company, the leads were Eileen Martin and Pat Roddy. The female understudies were Sinead McCafferty, Suzanne Cleary, and Melissa Convery. The male understudies were Joe Moriarty, Anthony Sharkey, and Padraic Moyles.

Julian:  Being honest was it always a goal for you to be a lead or did that possibility grow on you?

Alana:  It never even crossed my mind as in those days there were so many understudies. There were so many others who had been with the company for much longer that  I didn’t really think it was a possibility.

Julian:  In all the years you have been in the show, where was your favourite city to play/stay in?

Alana:  There’s been so many that it would be hard to narrow down to just one. A few of my favourites though are: Paris, LA, NYC, Sydney, Vancouver, and Honolulu.

Julian:  And in a similar vein, what was the most memorable performance you danced in and why?

Alana:  One of the most memorable for me was dancing at the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.  We were the first Western show ever to perform there. That was a great honour.

Julian: What is your favourite number in the show as a lead and do you have a different favourite number when dancing in the troupe and why?

Alana:   Riverdance is my favourite number to dance as it’s what started the whole show. We all wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that powerful number’s arrival as the 1994 Eurovision interval act. I like the way it starts quietly and it builds up to the full troupe on stage. The audience reaction is the finishing piece that completes the number for me. It’s a testament to the work of everyone who has ever been in the show.

Julian:  What is the single worst thing about spending months at a time on tour?

Alana:  I’d say the single worst thing about spending so many months on tour is being separated from your family. Skype and e-mail are great, but I’ve missed quite a few holidays, birthdays and funerals because of being on tour, that’s hard. It’s hard to stay connected to what’s going on back home, but it makes it all worth it to see everyone again when the tour finishes.

Julian:  When the day finally comes to hang up your dancing shoes, what will you do then?

Alana:  I would like to have a job which involves my love for Irish dance and passion for design. I used to design and make Irish dance costumes for myself when I was in competition and now I enjoy making them for others, I’ve always been constructive and find it really enjoyable.

Julian:  What is the one secret thing readers and fans would be most surprised to learn about Alana Mallon?

Alana:  People would be surprised to know that I have an interest in sports cars (probably got that from listening to my brother) Top Gear is one of my favourite TV shows and I love my Lotus. It’s not typically something you’d expect for the female lead of Riverdance, but what can I say? Ha!ha!

Julian:  You have just finished 3 weeks in South America, how was that?

Alana:  The chance to travel anywhere new is always exciting. After completing this recent tour of South America, I can say it’s very fulfilling to have performed Riverdance on every continent of the globe besides Antarctica. I was very struck by the warmth of the Brazilian people. As we exited our performance each night, we were greeted by adoring fans and massive rounds of applause well after the last curtain. Riverdance had moved many to tears and in our conversations we learned that many audience members were repeat attendees. In Argentina, we were struck not only by the audience’s love for the show, but their enthusiasm for our culture as many share Irish heritage.

Julian:  And finally a trick management question – which is an easier show to dance, in the troupe or as a lead?

Alana:   That’s a tough question! They both equally have their challenges.  As a member of the troupe, you’re part of a team, feeding off each other’s energy, and working as one unit. With the leading role, it’s an individual responsibility to emote the grace and poise that is expected to carry the show. In many ways, you need to contribute just as much effort to back up the troupe’s performance. The two work in sync and need to blend well together. It’s always an honour to perform lead, but equally as important to perform well in troupe.

Julian:  Great answer Alana and I have to say it’s always a pleasure to watch you onstage both as lead and in the troupe. Thanks for taking the time to talk and go off now and have a great break, it is well earned and well deserved. See you in China!

Read this on the Riverdance website: Interview with Principal Dancer Alana Mallon

In 1994, Paul Harrington and Paul McGettigan won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with Rock and Roll Kids. But it was the seven-minute interval act Riverdance that stole the show for over 300 million European viewers.

With music and lyrics written by Bill Whelan, Riverdance mixed traditional and modern music, choral singing and Irish dancing and presented them in a new way. Out of the interval act came Riverdance The Show and in February 1995, the world premiere was held at the Point Theatre, Dublin.

Eileen Martin was agog with excitement before the curtain went up on the never-to-be-forgotten interval act. Having joined the production as a young student, she got a huge adrenaline rush dancing on the same stage as Jean Butler and Michael Flatley. Little did she realise that Riverdance would attract over 22 million spectators over the next 15 years or that she would take over from Jean Butler and become the principal female in January 1997, touring Australia and North America, including at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway.

Taking dancing lessons since the age of four, Eileen captured her first world title when she was just 12 and went on to win nine consecutive Leinster and All-Ireland titles, several Great Britain championships, All-England, and four world titles. The wheel has now come full circle for the Foxrock native and mother-of-three as she juggles her family commitments with training the female principal dancers before tours, having joined Riverdance as Irish dance director in 2004. She also aims to open her own dancing school.

Before the interval act, she had no idea the show would become such a sensational success story. However, after their debut performance, she knew the producers had hit on something special.

“The whole image of all the dancers doing the same thing at the same time to the same music made Riverdance different. It contemporised Irish music and animated for the show. The mixture of different types of music and dance was unique and had a global appeal.

“It was a dream come true for me being able to dance in venues throughout the world. The whole experience was infectious. It becomes your life and the tour was like a big family,” she said.

The weeks leading up to a show were gruelling. Practice started at 9am in the morning and often continued to 9pm, with just a few short breaks. All the dancers had to go over and over their steps and routine until it was perfect.

On occasions, Eileen was barely able to walk her muscles were so sore leaving the practice room.

The highlight of her career was the 18 months she spent on the Broadway tour where she took over the lead female role dancing with Pat Roddy and Anthony Sharkey.
“The Broadway tour was brilliant. The reaction from the audience was amazing and it gives you the energy to keep going night after night,” she recalled.

Having competed in All-Ireland and world championships at the West County Hotel in the early ’90s, she is very familiar with Ennis and is looking forward to performing in front of a local audience.

Read this on the Riverdance website: Interview with former Riverdance Lead Eileen Martin

Interview from March 2009 special Riverdance issue of Irish Dancing Magazine

Maria began Irish dancing at the age of four with the O’Shea School in Dublin, Ireland. She danced competitively and toured extensively with the school, performing from a young age at festivals in Ireland, Europe and America. She began working with Riverdance in 2004 and has since danced with the show in Ireland, Europe, North America, Japan and Taiwan.

Joe was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. and his Irish connection comes from his father’s side of the family. Joe took up Irish dancing at the age of eight, joining the Richens-Timms Academy of Irish Dance. Joe went on to win age-group titles at the US Mid-western Regional and US National Irish Dancing Championships. Before joining Riverdance in August 1997, Joe had progressed to competing at World Championship level on three separate occasions.

What are your roles in Riverdance?
Joe: Maria is the female lead and I’m the male lead
Maria: We try not to swap around too much!

What’s your history with the show?
Maria: I started out dancing in competitions while I was at school. When I went on to study science at college, I kept on training.  I performed at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in the US and then in 2005 I got the opportunity to join Riverdance and tour Japan. I’ve been touring ever since!
Joe: Competition was pretty much all that was on offer before Riverdance, so that’s what I did growing up in Columbus, Ohio. Then I joined Riverdance at age 16 in 1996. I became male lead in 1998.

How is today’s Riverdance different from past productions?
Joe: It’s been pretty consistent in the time that I’ve been with the show. There’s the same energy and excitement when you’re out there. It is the same show that people love. Obviously the numbers evolve and the costumes change. And I think that new people bring new energy to the show.

What’s your favourite number in the show?
Maria: My favourite is the first female lead number – ‘Countess Cathleen’. It’s got great music and choreography. But I also like the fact that it has a strong female presence, which helps to balance the very strong male presence in Riverdance. I also like ‘Heartland’. It is a very high energy piece towards the end of the show.
Joe: My favourite is ‘Trading Taps’. It’s like a dance off with tap dancers. There is a lot of interaction with the audience and you can really see the audience getting in to it.

What are the best and worst things about touring?
Maria: Well, you get to see the world. I probably never would have been to Japan if I hadn’t gone with Riverdance. There is such a variety of people to meet and you make great friends. But it is hard on your body! That’s why we have a masseuse and a physiotherapist with us when we tour. You have to think about looking after yourself and eating well.
Joe: The best thing about touring is getting paid to do your hobby! But the worst is all the early starts.

What will your fondest memory of Riverdance be?
Joe: That’s probably the toughest question so far, because I have so many happy memories.
Maria: I do have one special memory in particular, which is performing in front of my family in Dublin in the summer of 2008. I felt so much pride. My parents and family are the people who supported me through so much to get to that moment.
Joe: That’s a big moment! In fact, I think my fondest memory is of dancing the male lead in front of my family when Riverdance toured Columbus, Ohio.

What will you do after Riverdance?
Maria: I have a science degree to fall back on, but I am studying my TCRG and I would love to teach Irish Dancing. It depends how things work out but I could qualify this year.
Joe: I would like to teach dancing as well, but I would need to train for that. Maybe I’ll go back to school. I haven’t decided yet.
Maria: I think it is important to finish your education – it gives you another option.
Joe: Well, I certainly agree with that – but it’s also important to follow your dreams!

Read this on the Riverdance website: Interview with Riverdance Lead Dancers Maria Buffini and Joe Moriarty