Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary.

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History

Riverdance was first performed during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest on April 30, 1994. It received a standing ovation. At Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest it was voted the most popular interval act in the history of the contest.

This first performance featured Irish Dancing Champions Jean Butler & Michael Flatley, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Celtic choral group Anúna with a score written by Bill Whelan. Whelan had also composed "Timedance" — an early version of "Riverdance" — for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Planxty. Most of the show's choreography were done by Flatley.

An audio recording of Riverdance entered the Irish singles charts at #1 on May 5 1994, and remained there throughout the summer (keeping Wet Wet Wet's phenomenally successful Love Is All Around off the top), eventually totalling a record 18 weeks at #1. A video of the Eurovision interval performance was then released by the Irish broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann under the title "Riverdance for Rwanda" with all proceeds going to the Rwanda Appeal Disasters Joint Appeal Committee ^[1]. Many of the dance troupe featured in this performance subsequently went on to dance principal roles in later productions of "Riverdance the Show".

Riverdance is produced and directed by husband and wife team John McColgan and Moya Doherty, controlled through their production company Abhann Productions, based in Dublin. In November 1994 tickets were sold in Dublin for the first full-length performance of "Riverdance", which opened at the Point Theatre on February 9, 1995. The show ran for five weeks and was a sell-out.

Michael Flatley left the show reportedly over creative differences with the producers before the show's second run in London. Irish dancer Colin Dunne stepped into the role of lead dancer and went on to perform in subsequent productions before leaving the show in 1998.

After successful runs in other cities in Europe, Riverdance travelled to New York City to perform at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in March 1996. This was the first time the show had been performed in America. To the relief of the producers, the show was a success. Anúna left the show in September of that year.

In 2000 Riverdance was on Broadway for a year at the Gershwin Theatre with an all-new show, featuring dance leads Pat Roddy and Eileen Martin and singers Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka.

Riverdance continues to be performed all over the world, albeit in a diminished format and in smaller venues than hitherto. Current productions are geared towards smaller theatres, whereas past productions have been performed in large theatres and arenas. Sets have therefore been simplified and some numbers contain fewer performers than in past productions (such as those seen on the Live from Radio City and Live from Arena Geneva DVDs). For example, current touring productions of the show have 20 dancers in the finale, "Heartland", whereas 24 were used in the original Dublin show and 32 were used in the arena shows. Each production company is named after an Irish river. Currently performing companies are the Boyne touring in North America, Corrib in Europe and Foyle in Ireland.

Riverdance is currently playing its farewell tour ^[2], returning to UK, Europe and the Far East before finishing in 2010, fifteen years after it opened at The Point Theatre in Dublin.

Dance numbers and songs performed

Riverdance The Show	Riverdance Live From New York	Riverdance Live From Geneva
# Reel Around The Sun # The Heart’s Cry # Women of Ireland # Caoineadh Cú Chulainn # Distant Thunder # Firedance # Cloudsong # Riverdance # Lift The Wings # Freedom # Harlem to Hollywood * # Andalucia * # Macedonia Morning * # Marta's Dance - Russian Dervish # Hope to the Suffering * # Flute Solo - Michael Flatley * # Home And The Heartland # Heartland # Riverdance International * Those numbers can be seen only on the European VHS tape. They were cut down for the American release, and the Channel Four TV Broadcast.	#Reel Around The Sun #The Heart's Cry #Countess Cathleen - Women of the Sidhe #Caoineadh Chú Chulainn #Thunderstorm #Firedance #Slip Into Spring - The Harvest #Cloudsong #Riverdance #American Wake (The Nova Scotia Set) #Lift The Wings #Heal Their Hearts - Freedom #Trading Taps #Marta's Dance - Russian Dervish #Oscail An Doras #Heartbeat Of The world #Homecoming #Home And The Heartland #Heartland #Riverdance International	# Reel Around the Sun # The Heart's Cry # Countess Cathleen - Women of the Sidhe # Caoinedh Chu Chulainn # Thunderstorm # Shivna # Firedance # Slip into Spring - The Harvest # Cloudsong # Riverdance # American Wake (The Nova Scotia Set) # Lift the Wings # Harbor of the New World # Slow Air/The Tunes # Home and the Heartland # Heartland # Finale/ Riverdance International

;Riverdance Show #4 (not yet produced)

A fourth show has not yet been planned for production at this time. The network Detroit Public TV recently confirmed this via email.

Their three companies perform each of these songs during their show

See also

• Music of Ireland

References

1. Riverdance for Rwanda August 19, 1994. RTE GUIDE
2. http://www.riverdance.ie/htm/news/news_item.php?id=89