| Riverdance Rocks Tokyo |
| We arrived bleary-eyed in Tokyo on Saturday morning to the hectic sights and sounds of the city. Driving through the streets we were given our first taste of just how busy the place is; people rushing around under umbrellas, traffic jams, buildings towering above us splashed with dazzlingly bright ads and cartoon-culture everywhere. |
| After the exhausting13-hour flight we took the afternoon to recover before heading to Roppongi Hills and Foley's Irish Bar. This was a good chance for members of the Corrib Company to meet each other over a few drinks and try to recover from the on-setting jetlag. |
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| With a day in hand before rehearsals started, we took the opportunity to explore our surroundings, sleep, and get accustomed to the Tokyo lifestyle. Once rehearsals began, there was no time to do anything except get the occasional welcomed extra hot, non fat, decaf latte - yes, we managed to find trusty Starbucks amidst the sushi bars! |
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| There was every chance of getting lost in Tokyo with the seemingly never-ending tiny backstreets and shops, bars and restaurants spread out on the many different levels of buildings (even the taxi drivers need to be shown a map!). However the amazing kindness and generosity of the Japanese people meant that if you were seen walking around with confusion on your face - as I was on many an occasion, you were very likely to be personally taken directly to the door! |
| Opening night at the Orchard Theatre was sold out and received with a tumultuous standing ovation, which is apparently very rare in Japan. The sponsors laid on a drinks reception after the show, and our two lead dancers together with Julian Erskine made speeches thanking our hosts and exchanged gifts. |
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| After a very smooth start to the week, things were shaken up a little when we experienced a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which struck 150 miles north of Tokyo. A small Tsunami was reported along parts of the coastline and in the city tall buildings swayed for up to a minute and lifts stopped, trapping people inside including our very own piper Matt Bashford! Then excitement struck again, when the theatre shook during Russian Dervish with a smaller quake. The dancers didn't even notice and of course the show had to go on! |
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| We took in the local and traditional 'Kabuki' theatre - which held daily performances in the city's main theatre, the Kabuki-za. An extremely elegant and ornamental building, it provided the perfect backdrop for the graceful and charming performances of musical plays. Luckily the production was over by early afternoon, so there was still time to visit other attractions such as the many shrines and temples or the home of the emperor of Japan - the Imperial Palace with it's spectacularly ornate grounds. |
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| Breakfast at the hotel was always a breathtaking experience as it had panoramic views over Tokyo from the 25th floor. On our last morning the skies cleared and we were fortunate enough to get an unobstructed glimpse of Mount Fuji - Japan's most sacred volcano. It seemed to have a latent power and mysticism and it is view that those of us who saw it will never forget. |
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On our last night (which coincidentally was my 21st birthday) the company let loose in The Hideout in Roppongi - taking up pretty much the whole bar, where we danced until the wee small hours...
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