9 Men Gather In Line To Dance But Notice Man In Front When Woman With Drums Enters Stage

Nov 24, 2020 by apost team

If you have not had the chance to check out the fabulous Riverdance show, now is your chance to do so. This 2013 live performance of the Irish step dancing group is sure to blow you away.

This show began in April of 1994 when the famous Irish dancing champions and lead dancers for the show Jean Butler and Michael Flatley combined forces to form a world-touring dance troupe. The results were simply amazing!

Although Flatley and Butler are the experts, a number of additional Riverdance troupes have formed because of the booming popularity of this style of dance. The groups are usually named after famous rivers in Ireland, including Lagan, Shannon, Corrib, Foyle, Moy, and Bann. This tradition of using river names celebrates the heritage of the dance genre while giving each troupe a unique moniker.

This particular performance will surely leave you in awe of the talent of these dancers. In this video, audiences will delight in how the dancers twirl and high-step across the stage with ease. It is obvious that the dancers spent a lot of time and effort preparing for their routine.

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As the performance begins, it is only men on the stage. However, the gig really kicks into high gear when a female appears on stage, joining everyone in the clog. Just when you think it cannot get any more fun, drums join the musical entourage. The fast-moving show will certainly leave you breathless as each segment seamlessly segues into the next.

You might ask yourself: Where did this dance come from? And why is it so popular?

While the performance does have traditional roots in baroque-style music, Riverdance is a modern creation. Bill Whelan and Donal Lunny composed a three-part suite named Timedance for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which was hosted by none other than Ireland that year. This composition was a precursor to the Riverdance that fans know and love today. During that 1981 performance, the Irish folk band Planxty — known for their songs Raggle Taggle Gypsy, The West Coast of Claire, and The Good Ship of Kangaroo — performed with a four-piece horn section and a rock rhythm section. While the massive band played, a group of ballet dancers accompanied the music.

But it wasn't until a Eurovision performance in 1994 that Riverdance came to fruition. Performed as an interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest at Dublin's Point Theatre, Riverdance was a seven-minute performance, which was transmitted to around 300 million viewers worldwide, according to The Riverdance website.

"Just as my life changed with Eurovision 1994 so the cultural image of Ireland was also transformed. Irish culture, expressed in this case through dance and music, and as part of a wider, cultural awakening, took its place with confidence on the world stage," co-producer Doherty was quoted as saying on The Riverdance website.

The performance received a standing ovation, and Doherty and her husband were convinced that they had something special on their hands. The couple invested more than $1 million to produce a full-length version of the show.

Since then, Riverdance has become an international theater phenomenon. Various productions take place all over the world from New York City to Geneva.

"It is rare in my theatergoing experience to pine for something specific during the Act One — only to have it delivered with winning playfulness in Act Two. Riverdance does that," Kathleen Campion writes in her 2020 review of the 25th Anniversary Show at Radio City Music Hall. "The seemingly effortless flights of dancing supported by lively mythic sounds, in the first act, is gorgeous. Still, as I watched the Irish dancing, I kept seeing Bill Robinson, and Gregory Hines, and Gene Kelly."

Most recently, production companies River Productions and Aniventure have announced that they would be releasing an animated feature film based on Riverdance. The cast is set to include well-known actors and actresses like Lilly Singh, Pierce Brosnan, Pauline McLynn,  Brendan Gleeson, Jermaine Fowler, Aisling Bea, and John Kavanagh.

"The breadth and depth of the comedic and dramatic talent of this cast resonates with every line. Their vast experiences and wild imaginations delivered brilliantly nuanced performances which will thrill their fans and charm new audiences,” director Dave Rosenbaum said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Whether or not you're familiar with Riverdance, you now see just how popular and successful it is. It's gone from a short 7-minute performance, to a worldwide theater sensation, to a feature film featuring Pierce Brosnan. If you're curious why Riverdance is so captivating, watch the video below:

We know that you will love this performance just as much as the rest of the world. Be sure to spread the magic once you have experienced it for yourself. And let us know what you think!