From a stunning interval act during Eurovision to a global phenomenon… "Riverdance" is celebrating a remarkable 30 years on the road tonight.
As soon as the short–but–thrilling first-ever performance finished in the Point Depot in 1994, thousands in the audience jumped to their feet and erupted into ecstatic applause.
The original producer, John McColgan, has recalled that he was in tears at the reception the seven-minute "interlude" received and knew he had to give "Riverdance" its own Broadway-style show.
Just a year later, "Riverdance" was on the road and has been ever since, entertaining millions around the globe and bringing them a taste and flavour of the rich Irish culture that spawned it.
In its 30 years on the road, the show has seen many romances blossom among cast members, producing 70 marriages and 130 babies.
"Riverdance 30 – The New Generation" has kicked off a three-month stint at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, running until September 7.
A sign of its longevity is the fact that the entire cast is now younger than the show itself. Daragh Roddy, the son of a former Riverdance lead, Pat Roddy, is dancing in the show’s Dublin debut.
The show made careers of its original leads: US-born dancers Michael Flatley, 66, and Jean Butler, 54, both went on to individual global stardom.
Overseeing rehearsals for the new show was McColgan, now 80, who produced the original performance with his wife, Moya Doherty, 68.
He recalled: "The Point Theatre: when 'Riverdance' finished, 4,000 people jumped to their feet in unison, but I was in tears, I knew something special had happened."
A year later, McColgan had turned the interval act into a two-hour stage show, which opened in Dublin on February 9, 1995.
Talking about the transformation, he said: "I was a big fan of the Broadway musical, and I wanted to take Irish dance and the very strait-laced way it had been performed. We change it and polish it all the time.
"The fundamental show is the same, but you get new energy every time there is a new cast. They’re like young athletes now, and they take it very, very seriously."
Director John McColgan with former Riverdance leads Breandán de Gallaí and Susan Ginnity, and Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick ahead of a special Riverdance Alumni event at the Gaiety Theatre to mark 30 years of Riverdance.
Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, who dances in the show with her brother Fergus, grew up in Meath thinking she wanted to be in "Riverdance."
She said: "We absolutely feel the responsibility and we take that challenge completely positively and we see it more as an honour rather than a heavy weight. 'Riverdance' was here before either of us we're born."
Fergus described leading "Riverdance" along with his sister as a "dream come true," adding: "It’s even more special to be able to have family on the road with you when you’re traveling, getting to do what you love, getting to see these amazing places while taking care of the iconic show."
While Sheena McMorrow is too young at 17 to join the full cast, she took part in last night’s special performance at the Gaiety, following in the dance steps of her parents, Fran and Jonathan McMorrow, both former "Riverdance" members.
"My parents met in Riverdance, and that just made it so clear Irish dancing was going to be a big part of my life," she said.
Dad Jonathan said, "It’s fabulous for her to be able to do this. She’s looked forward to this day for a very, very long time."
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